South Africa's must-win game to reach semis
| Date | March 01, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Format | ODI |
| Series | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Rassie van der Dussen has odds of 4.20 to be South Africa's best batsman
- Joe Root has odds of 3.50 to be England's best batsman
- Kagiso Rabada has odds of 3.00 to be South Africa's best bowler
- Adil Rashid has odds of 3.25 to be England's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
The competition in Group B of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has heated up. South Africa enters a must-win game as they take on England in the 11th match of the tournament. In the last group game, they shared points with Australia, where rain played spoilsport. The side looked good with the bat in its opening game, and they will look to make the most out of it and exploit England's lack of form. England lost against Afghanistan in the last game, bringing down the curtains to their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Their odds have fallen due to ordinary performances over the last few matches. It will be interesting to see if England can have something to cheer about in their final game.
South Africa Preview
Temba Bavuma and his men would have been upset with sharing points with the Australians in the last game. Their form with the bat and the ball would have given them a strong chance in the last game. It is a must-win game for the team to reach the semis. Their batsmen are in form, and the team will have higher odds on cricket betting apps. Bavuma expects a clinical show from his players.
Ryan Rickelton did well against Afghanistan in the first game, and the team needs a good start from him and Tony de Zorzi. They will take on England’s struggling bowling attack. Temba Bavuma will look to anchor the innings in the middle order and add runs with Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen. Marco Jansen and David Miller have good hitting abilities, which makes it a formidable batting lineup.
Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi will exploit England's rusty form at the top and grab early wickets to put them under pressure. Kagiso Rabada is the key bowler for the team, and he must do well in the middle overs with Keshav Maharaj. Markram and Tabraiz Shamsi will use the conditions to their advantage and take the team to the next round.
Expected Starting XI for South Africa
Temba Bavuma (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
England Preview
Jos Buttler and his men have only themselves to blame. They came into the tournament relying too much on their batsmen and have paid the price. The side suffered a humiliating 8-run loss against Afghanistan in the last game and is out of contention for the semifinals. They have lost six games in a row heading into the game and start behind on cricket betting sites. Buttler would like to see a strong fightback from his bowlers in this game and end the disappointing tournament on a high.
Ben Duckett has batted well in the tournament, but the team needs Philip Salt to play with more responsibility at the top. Joe Root's hundred in the last game will make him confident, and he must add runs in the middle order with Harry Brook and Jamie Smith. Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and Tom Banton will look to use the long handle and finish the innings with quick runs.
The bowling attack has looked ordinary in the last few games. Gus Atkinson will replace Mark Wood and must deliver a good start with Jofra Archer. Adil Rashid is the key bowler, and he must do well in the middle overs with Tom Banton. The team also expects a good show in the supporting role from Joe Root and Liam Livingstone, and they must use the conditions to their advantage.
Expected Starting XI for England
Jos Buttler (c), Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson
TOSS: To Bat First
Most teams have struggled case scores at this venue as the wicket gets slower as the game progresses. Batting first in the afternoon at Karachi is always an advantage for any team. The side winning the toss will look to bat first in the game and put up a big total.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect slightly overcast skies over Karachi. It is a great batting surface where we have seen sides set up big totals. There is little assistance on this surface for the bowlers. The side that bats first will aim to have 320 runs on the board to feel confident.
OUR PREDICTION
The English side has lost the last six games and conceded more than 300 runs on the last four occasions. The bowling attack has failed to execute its plans and has looked more in the T20 mode. They must overcome their mental fatigue and play aggressively to win this game. The South Africans have done well in the last few months and have had a strong bowling attack due to these conditions. It will be a close game, but the South Africans have a slight edge.
Our prediction is for South Africa to win
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