Fantasy Cricket

Champions Trophy 2025: National Stadium in Karachi Pitch Report & Key Stats Ahead of Afghanistan vs South Africa Match

by Prateek
February 20, 2025
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South Africa and Afghanistan will face off in the third match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 21. This will be the first Group B match, with both teams looking to start strong in the tournament.

Afghanistan, playing in their first-ever Champions Trophy, comes in with confidence after winning four consecutive ODI series, including a 2-1 victory against South Africa. Meanwhile, the Proteas have struggled in recent ODI matches, losing all their games in the Tri-Series leading up to the tournament.

The pitch conditions at Karachi will play a key role in this high-stakes encounter. Here’s how the surface is expected to behave.

National Stadium, Karachi Pitch Report

The Karachi surface has traditionally offered a balanced contest between bat and ball. Batters can play their shots freely early on, but both pacers and spinners find assistance as the game progresses.

Teams may prefer to bat first, as batting conditions tend to get tougher later in the match.
The average first innings score is 240, while the second innings average is 205.
Pacers get early swing and uneven bounce, while spinners find grip and turn in the second half of the innings.
Teams batting second have struggled in the past, making batting first the preferred option.

Weather Conditions and Impact on Play

Karachi is expected to have clear skies on February 21, with a minimal chance of rain. The temperature will hover around 29 degrees Celsius during the day and 21 degrees Celsius at night, with humidity levels around 45 percent. The dry conditions might assist spinners more as the match progresses.

National Stadium, Karachi ODI Records

The National Stadium in Karachi has hosted numerous ODIs, with a fairly balanced record between teams batting first and chasing.

Overall ODI Stats at National Stadium, Karachi

Total matches played: 79
Matches won batting first: 37
Matches won bowling first: 39
Average first innings score: 240
Average second innings score: 205
Highest team total: 374 for 4 (India vs Hong Kong)
Lowest team total: 93 all out (Pakistan Women vs Sri Lanka Women)
Highest successful run chase: 355 for 4 (Pakistan vs South Africa)

South Africa and Afghanistan’s ODI Records at Karachi

South Africa at National Stadium, Karachi

Matches played: 2
Matches won: 0
Matches lost: 2

Afghanistan at National Stadium, Karachi

Matches played: 0
Matches won: 0
Matches lost: 0

Top ODI Totals at National Stadium, Karachi

Team	Score	Overs	Against	Match Date	Result
India	374 for 4	50	Hong Kong	25-Jun-08	Won
West Indies	360 for 4	50	Pakistan	13-Oct-87	Won
Pakistan	355 for 4	49	South Africa	12-Feb-25	Won
Pakistan	353 for 6	50	England	15-Dec-05	Won
South Africa	352 for 5	50	Pakistan	12-Feb-25	Lost

What to Expect in SA vs AFG Match?

Pacers will get early movement, but spinners could be game-changers in the middle overs. Batting first is ideal, with teams needing to target a score of around 280 or more to feel safe. Afghanistan’s strong spin attack could trouble the Proteas, especially in the second innings. South Africa’s batting depth will be tested as they look to regain their form in ODIs.

Story First Published at www.probatsman.com on 21 February 2025