No time to snooze for Temba Bavuma’s Proteas as fast and furious Afghanistan await in ICC Champions Trophy
The International Cricket Council loves a tournament.
In fact, they are contractually obliged – much like the annual high school drama production – to draw the curtains and light up the stage every year.
It is for this reason that the ICC Champions Trophy has been revived, eight years after it was last held in England back in 2017.
It does not hold the stature of the ODI World Cup, and neither does it have the glitz of the T20 World Cup.
But yet it’s in Pakistan (and Dubai) in 2025 – the ninth version – and in a densely-populated calendar actually gets plenty right.
Eight well-matched sides, grouped in two sets of four, playing for a sum total of 19 days: 15 group matches, two semi-finals and final.
It’s simple and straightforward. No complicated qualifiers and eliminators that we’ve become accustomed to in T20 franchise competitions that sometimes carry on for close to two months.
“We understand, you know, the Champions Trophy is a little bit different,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said ahead of his team’s Group B opener in Karachi on Friday (11am SA time start).
“It’s almost like every game is a knockout type of thing, and our mindset really is to make sure that we pitch up and play our best game of cricket.
“Hopefully we’re playing five games and not three games of cricket in this tournament. I think most importantly, we win the moments that matter.”
It is also a competition that holds emotional significance to the Proteas. It remains the only major ICC tournament the Proteas’ Men’s team have won.
Unfortunately, that happened all the way back in 1998 in Bangladesh, when it was still known as the Wills International Cup or ICC Knockout Trophy.
Perhaps that’s the reason why most have forgotten – or indeed ignored – the fact, and only have the “lived experience” and trauma of the missed opportunities at ICC events since.
Within this generation of Proteas, though, there is a feeling that they are getting closer to lifting the elusive silverware, especially after reaching a maiden T20 World Cup final last year in Barbados.
“All the tournaments we’ll come in with the prospect of seeing ourselves in the final, and eventually obviously getting over the line,” Bavuma said.
“There’s no negativity from the fact that we haven’t been able to be successful in other ICC events or editions, but instead, there’s a lot more positivity and confidence in terms of our ability or how far we can go within the tournament.
“I think the nice thing is that we have guys with that experience, and it’s more about learnings that guys are coming into the tournament with. I think there’s no real baggage that exists amongst the guys.”
Before any such dreams can be harboured, though, Bavuma and coach Rob Walter have to put their heads together and come up with a suitable starting XI that can tackle a dangerous Afghanistan team head-on.
There are plenty of positions that are still being hotly debated, with Bavuma stating on Thursday that “we’re not in a position yet to release the line-up”.
Much of the conjecture will be around who his opening partner will be, with Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton vying to face the new ball, while Aiden Markram has also been touted for a tactical shift up the order.
The option of playing two specialist spinners at the expense of one seam-bowling all-rounder will no doubt also be discussed furiously, while Corbin Bosch’s extra pace instead of Lungi Ngidi’s experience may also be preferred on these Pakistan batting paradises.
“I think in terms of the conditions here, we’ve had a nice look at what to expect. Probably batter-friendly wickets, and I think quite a nice challenge for the bowlers,” Bavuma said.
“Our challenge as a bowling unit is to be one of the more disciplined and precise bowling units. I guess, always look for opportunities to take wickets.
“It looks a fresh wicket – not as dry as the other wickets that we’ve seen – so maybe a little bit more assistance for the seam bowlers.
Fresh Kits. Fresh Energy. Same Mission 🏏🏆
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 18, 2025
Watch as the boys try on their brand-new #ChampionsTrophy amour! 🇿🇦🏏
This isn’t just a jersey—it’s a symbol of passion, pride, and the relentless pursuit of glory!
#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/WSqo7HZFwC
“But I think Karachi is generally a good wicket for the batters.
“From a batting point of view, scoreboard pressure is a big thing. Guys getting in, making sure they go big, so we can challenge for those 330, 340-350 type of scores.”
SQUADS FOR KARACHI
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.