Afghanistan's cricket team faced sharp criticism following their disappointing performance against South Africa during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 21. The match, held at the National Stadium in Karachi, ended with Afghanistan losing by 107 runs, raising urgent questions about their readiness for international competition.
The encounter marked the opening match for Afghanistan in Group B of the prestigious tournament, which also includes formidable opponents like Australia and England. South Africa, having elected to bat first after winning the toss, set a challenging target of 316 runs.
Despite the setback, Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, remained optimistic about his team’s potential. He noted, "I think we were not good enough whilst batting. The pitch was helping them in the second innings, but the way we batted in the first 20 overs wasn't up to the mark." Shahidi’s comments came during the post-match presentation, where he lamented the team's inability to effectively capitalize on the conditions. The captain pointed out the impact of the toss, stating, "I think the toss was key today; there were many cracks on this pitch. Wasn't a typical Karachi pitch. Their bowlers though bowled disciplined lengths.”
Afghanistan's innings faltered as they were bowled out for 208 runs, with only Rahmat Shah providing noteworthy resistance, scoring 90 runs from 92 balls. Shahidi himself had a disappointing outing, dismissed without scoring on just four balls. The team struggled significantly, reduced to 89 for 5 within 23 overs, and failed to build any substantial partnerships.
South Africa's innings were anchored by Ryan Rickelton, who scored 103 runs, contributing to their total of 315 runs for 6 wickets. South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, praised his team's performance, highlighting it as one of their best displays. “It was a clinical performance. We took the brave decision to bat first not knowing about the wicket, and we were clinical with the ball too,” Bavuma said during the presentation ceremony.
This defeat is particularly painful for the Afghan team as they had previously secured their first-ever ODI series win against South Africa, defeating them 2-1, which had instilled hope and confidence within the squad. Shahidi attempted to keep spirits high, stating, "The whole world knows we are playing well, especially over the last three years, so we are focused on our play." His focus remains on the upcoming matches rather than dwelling on this loss.
Afghanistan’s struggle against South Africa also highlighted the broader issues facing the team as they navigate the tensions surrounding their participation on the world stage under the current Taliban regime. While cricket offers a platform for international engagement, it has placed the team at the center of political discourse. Shahidi addressed concerns over potential boycotts due to the Taliban's treatment of women, saying, "We only control things inside the ground; that's our job. The other things cannot put us under pressure.”
International criticism has escalated since the Taliban's takeover, which has seen women barred from participating in sports. Authorization from governing bodies like the ICC hangs by fragile strings as the world watches Afghanistan navigate these treacherous waters. Nevertheless, Shahidi is determined to steer his team away from distractions, emphasizing their commitment to focus solely on cricket.
Afghanistan's Champions Trophy campaign is far from over. They are scheduled to face England on February 26 and Australia on February 28, matches which will be their chance to redeem themselves and demonstrate the capabilities they have showcased over the past few years.
Shahidi concluded with hope for the future, stating, "We still have some important games left, we will forget today and look to move forward.” This determination echoes the resilience the Afghan team has become known for, and fans around the world will be waiting eagerly to see if they can bounce back after this humbling defeat.