Champions Trophy: Afghanistan and South Africa kick off Group B
What's the story
The Champions Trophy cricket tournament is all set to kick off with an exciting match between Afghanistan and South Africa, marking the beginning of Group B.
The upcoming fixture will witness a battle between two teams with contrasting recent records.
While Afghanistan has been on a winning streak, South Africa is eyeing a comeback from a series of losses.
This match gives both teams a chance to prove their mettle on the international stage.
Winning streak
Afghanistan's impressive run in international cricket
Afghanistan are entering the Champions Trophy on a high, having performed strongly at the 2023 ODI World Cup and having an impressive run in recent bilateral series.
They have won four out of five bilateral series and reached the T20 World Cup semi-final.
This short, intense tournament gives them a unique opportunity to claim a major tournament title, furthering their growing reputation in international cricket.
Redemption path
South Africa's journey to redemption in Champions Trophy
On the other hand, South Africa are looking for redemption after six consecutive ODI losses.
However, they have shown resilience by using ODIs as a development platform and introducing 10 new players since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Now, with their best available players coming together for the first time since then, South Africa are determined to show their strength in the upcoming match against Afghanistan.
Star performers
Key players to watch in the upcoming match
Both Afghanistan and South Africa have strong batting line-ups.
Afghanistan's strength is their opening duo of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while South Africa's strength is their middle order.
This makes for interesting match-ups between South Africa's seamers and the Afghan top order, and Afghanistan's spinners and the South African middle order.
Controversy
Political tensions surrounding the match
The upcoming fixture has been overshadowed by political controversy, with South Africa's sports minister Gayton McKenzie comparing the Taliban regime's treatment of women to Apartheid.
However, Cricket South Africa has stood by its decision to play against Afghanistan, arguing that isolating them wouldn't bring about meaningful change.
This position has ignited a debate that will only grow louder as the tournament progresses.
Predicted XIs
Predicted XI of the two teams
SA predicted XI: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.
AFG predicted XI: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad/Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveed Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi.