A historic moment is coming for Afghanistan, who have clearly risen above the ranks in 50-over cricket after performing well in the ODI World Cup last year. Now, they are set for another ICC 50-over tournament, and this time it’s the Champions Trophy. It is their first time making their tournament debut, and they will meet South Africa today, who have had a mixed record in this tournament and, to be fair, more experience than Afghanistan.
However, in recent matches between both teams, it is Afghanistan who clearly thumped the Proteas, dominating them in the 50-over format. Yes, it’s true that Afghanistan struggled in the Champions Trophy warm-up games, but South Africa also faced poor results in the recently held tri-series in Pakistan, where they were bundled out by New Zealand and Pakistan. But now, it’s time for both teams to forget their sour outings and create good memories. This will be the third match of CT 2025, taking place at the National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday, February 20. So how will the Karachi weather behave? Let’s take a look.
National stadium Karachi weather report
Credits – AccuWeather
The conditions in Karachi are expected to be hot. According to AccuWeather, the temperature will reach 31°C, but we can expect some changes, as Karachi’s weather is generally mild and pleasant, with cooler mornings and evenings and warmer afternoons in February. What could change the game is the possibility of cloud cover, which could provide some assistance for the seam bowlers. Since clouds are expected to cover the light in the afternoon, it would be better to bowl first and make use of the conditions and surface. Overall, an exciting cricket game is anticipated between South Africa and Champions Trophy debutants Afghanistan.
National stadium Karachi ODI stats
| Stat | ODI |
| Total Matches | 79 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 37 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 39 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 240 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 205 |
| Highest Total Recorded | 374/4 (50 Ovs) by IND vs HK |
| Lowest Total Recorded | 93/10 (40.4 Ovs) by PAKW vs SLW |
| Highest Score Chased | 355/4 (49 Ovs) by PAK vs RSA |
| Lowest Score Defended | 123/10 (45.2 Ovs) by SLW vs PAKW |
