After winning their respective openers emphatically, both Australia and South Africa will be looking to grab a semi-final spot.
For this massive encounter between two contenders for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, here are our preview and predictions.
South Africa have a well-balanced side, boasting a long batting lineup filled with explosive batters as well as a good bowling attack led by the experienced pacer, Kagiso Rabada. Both their batting and bowling departments clicked against Afghanistan. Batting first, the Proteas managed a decent total of 315/6 powered by a century from opener Ryan Rickleton (103) and fifties from captain Temba Bavuma and Aidan Markram. In response, Afghanistan were bowled out for a paltry 208, with Rahmat Shah (90) fighting a lone battle. Rabada was the star of the show for the Proteas bowling as he took 3/36 and was ably supported by Lungi Ndidi and Wiaan Mulder, who took two wickets each.
The Aussies, on the other hand, are playing this competition with an inexperienced fast-bowling lineup, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood all missing. The lack of experience showed in their opening match against England, as they conceded a huge total of 351/8. England opener Ben Duckett ran riot with 165 runs off 143 balls, while Joe Root also scored a vital 68-run knock. However, newbie Ben Dwarshuis and leg-spinner Adam Zampa ensured with timely wickets that the total didn’t get insurmountable, with the dew factor to consider in the second innings. The strong Australian batting lineup then chased down the total in 47.3 overs with the help of Josh Inglis’s blistering knock of 120 off 83, which was supported by contributions from Alex Carey (69) and Mathew Short (63).
While there is no doubt about their batting strength, Australia’s bowling is definitely their weakness given their over-reliance on Zampa for the wickets during the middle overs. For this game, the toss will again play a major role as conditions could favour the team batting second.
This is set to be close encounter, but their batting, mentality, and confidence after that win against England make Australia our favourites for this one.
Fantasy XI: Travis Head, Temba Bavuma, Steve Smith (c), Aidan Markram, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, David Miller, Adam Zampa, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Winners Prediction: Australia
Venue: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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