NEW DELHI: Debutants Afghanistan will look to build on their remarkable ascent in white-ball cricket, while South Africa will once more try to shake off the reputation of "chokers" when the two teams begin their Champions Trophy campaign in Karachi on Friday.
Even though South Africa has produced some of the best cricketers in the world, particularly in the limited-overs format, they have only won the first Champions Trophy in 1998 (then known as the Knockout Trophy).
The Proteas have a strong batting lineup and a well-rounded team.
The top order will be anchored by captain Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram, but Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and

Tristan Stubbs

are a formidable trio that may deliver the last flourish.

With key pacers Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger, and Gerald Coetzee sidelined with injuries, South Africa's bowling attack is their toughest obstacle going into the competition.
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Kagiso Rabada, who is renowned for his quickness, aggression, and ability to strike at pivotal times, will be the Proteas' main weapon in both the death overs and powerplay.
It is anticipated that Marco Jansen will also make a substantial contribution. His capacity to exert pressure and cast powerful spells will be essential.
After a poor performance in the most recent tri-series, Lungi Ngidi will be trying to regain his confidence and rhythm.
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will play important roles in the spin department.
South Africa has played 14 ODIs since the 2023

ODI World Cup

, however they have only won four of them. They had a six-game losing run going into the tournament.
However, one cannot ignore the reality that, for a variety of reasons, they were unable to field a team at full strength in any of these games.
Together with Afghanistan, injury-plagued Australia, and an off-form England, South Africa has a strong chance of making it to the knockout stage. The Afghans, meanwhile, might end up being the proverbial banana peel.
The war-torn country is now a serious contender to go to the semifinals.
They reached the semifinals of the T20 World Cup last year and defeated England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka handily in the 2023 ODI World Cup, two recent ICC championships that showcased their outstanding play.
They have repeatedly demonstrated that they are a formidable force and are no longer the underdog.
Since the ODI World Cup, the Afghans have won four of their five bilateral series, including one in the United Arab Emirates against South Africa.
Their spin attack, which includes the undisputed Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and left-armers Noor Ahmad and Nangeyalia Kharote, is still, predictably, their greatest strength.
Spin will be a key component in all three of their group matches in Pakistan.
Afghanistan's success in ODI has been largely attributed to pacer Azmatullah Omarzai, whose ability to swing the new ball gives them the advantage in powerplay.
Another vital weapon that can offer early breakthroughs and potent variations at the end is Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are once again anticipated to get off to a strong start in the batting department.
However, their middle order, which has frequently had trouble keeping up, is their vulnerability. Their success in the competition will depend on fixing this discrepancy, which has been a worry.
Squads:
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), 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 (c), 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