MATCH NO – 7th Match
SERIES – Champions Trophy – 2025
DATE – 25th February, 2024
TIME – 02:30 PM IST
VENUE – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
INTRODUCTION
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19, 2025, marking the tournament’s return after an eight-year hiatus. This edition features the top eight One Day International (ODI) teams competing across venues in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The participating teams are divided into two groups:
Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh
Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan
Each team will play the others in their group once, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Matches are scheduled in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai. Notably, due to political tensions, India will play all its matches in Dubai.
Hosting this tournament is a monumental event for Pakistan, marking its first major ICC event since the 1996 World Cup. The country has undertaken extensive preparations, including stadium upgrades and enhanced security measures, to ensure a successful event.
MATCH PREVIEW
seventh Match of Champions Trophy 2025 will be played between Australia (AUS) and South Africa (SA) .Both teams are strong contender for CT – 2025 and Australian team performed not too good in recent ODI series and lost last 2 ODI series against Sri Lanka & Pakistan, whereas South African team started this season of Champions Trophy with a win by 107 runs against Afghanistan
Both teams boast of strong batting & bowling attacks looking balanced and strong, so the battle between the batsmen and bowlers will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the match.
Considering the form and capabilities of both teams, this match has the potential to be a close contest. It will be interesting to see how the teams strategize and adapt to the conditions. Fans can again expect an exciting and competitive match between South Africa vs Australia.
PITCH REPORT
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, established in 1992, is a prominent cricket venue in Pakistan, located near Islamabad. With a seating capacity of 15,000, it has hosted numerous international matches across all formats.
Pitch Characteristics:
Batting-Friendly Surface: Traditionally, the pitch at Rawalpindi is known for being flat and conducive to batting, offering even bounce and pace. This allows batsmen to play strokes freely, leading to high-scoring encounters.
CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025
Assistance for Fast Bowlers: In the early stages of a match, especially under overcast conditions, fast bowlers can extract movement and bounce from the surface.
Role of Spinners: As the game progresses, particularly in Test matches, the pitch tends to dry out, bringing spinners into play. In recent times, efforts have been made to prepare spin-friendly surfaces. For instance, during England’s tour in 2024, ground staff employed techniques like using large fans and heaters to dry the pitch, enhancing spin potential.
Recent Developments:
In October 2024, during a Test series between Pakistan and England, the Rawalpindi pitch was deliberately prepared to favor spin bowlers. This strategic move paid off, as Pakistani spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan dominated, collectively taking 39 wickets in the last two Tests, leading to a series victory for Pakistan.
However, the pitch has faced criticism in the past. In December 2022, it was rated as “below average” by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to its flat nature offering little assistance to bowlers. The Pakistan Cricket Board appealed this rating, and in January 2023, the ICC rescinded the demerit point, acknowledging the compelling nature of the match played.
Statistics and Records:
Test Matches: The highest total recorded is 657 by England against Pakistan in 2022. The lowest is 139 by West Indies.
One Day Internationals (ODIs): The highest total is 337/3 by Pakistan against New Zealand, while the lowest is 104 by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka.
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is): The highest score is 194/4 by New Zealand against Pakistan, and the lowest is 90 by New Zealand against Pakistan.
Upcoming Events:
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is set to be one of the key venues for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, highlighting its significance in international cricket.
CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025
In summary, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium offers a pitch that has evolved from being predominantly batting-friendly to one that can also support spin, depending on preparation. This versatility makes it a challenging venue for teams, requiring adaptability and strategic planning.
GROUND STATS (ODIs)
| TOTAL MATCH | 26 |
| AVERAGE SCORE | 240+ |
| BATTING 1ST WON | 12 |
| BATTING 2ND WON | 14 |
| NO RESULT | 00 |
SCORING PATTERN
| BELOW SCORE 200 | 07 |
| BETWEEN 200 TO 249 | 06 |
| BETWEEN 250 TO 299 | 08 |
| ABOVE SCORE 300 | 05 |
BOWLERS STATS ON RAWALPINDI STADIUM (ODIs)
TOTAL MATCHES PLAYED – 26
PACER WICKETS – 222
SPINNER WICKETS – 90.
NOTE-:PITCH REPORT WILL BE UPDATED AFTER 6TH MATCH
AUS VS SA TEAM NEWS,SQUADS, PLAYING11 & PLAYER STATS
AUSTRALIA (AUS):
TEAM NEWS
- Australian team did not perform well in the recent ODI series and they lost the series by 0-2 against Sri Lanka. Hopefully they will come back strongly in the Champions Trophy.
- Australian team started their Champions Trophy season like a champion and chased a record 351 runs in just 47 overs against England.
- Last match played between Australia & South Africa, Australia successfully chased a total of 212 runs and won the match by 3 wickets.
- Josh Inglis has scored 120 runs in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Alex Carey has scored 69 runs in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Ben Dwarshuis has taken 3 wickets in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Adam Zampa has taken 2 wickets in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Marnus Labuschagne has scored 47 runs & taken 2 wickets in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Matthew Short has scored 63 runs & also taken 0 wicket in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Glenn Maxwell has 32 runs and also taken 1 wicket in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- In the last match Australian team successfully chased a total of 351 runs and won the match by 5 wickets against England.
- Josh Inglis scored 120 runs, Alex Carey scored 69 runs, Matthew Short scored 6 runs and Glenn Maxwell scored 32 runs in the previous match against England.
- Ben Dwarshuis took 3 wickets, Marnus Labuschagne & Adam Zamoa rook 2-2 wickets each and Glenn Maxwell 1 wicket in the previous match against England.
- Both teams played 110 odi matches and Australian team won 51 match and lost 55 matches against South Africa.
SQUADS
Batting – Steven Smith ©, Jake Farser – McGurk, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne.
Bowling – Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa.
All Rounder – Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short.
POSSIBLE PLAYING 11
Matthew Short, Josh Inglis(wk), Travis Head, Steven Smith ©, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Sean Abbott/Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis.
PLAYER STATS:
1. MATTHEW SHORT – RHB+RAO
| Recent 5 Innings | 63+0W, 2+0W, 1W, 40+1W, 4+0W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| Total Stats vs SA | NOT PLAYED YET. |
2. TRAVIS HEAD – LHB+LAO
| Recent 5 Innings | 6r, 18r, 21+1W, 20+0W, 57+0W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 62r, 17+2W, 38+2W, 64+0W, 33r. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 13 INNINGS – 368 RUNS – 5W. |
3. STEVEN SMITH © – RHB+RALB
| Recent 5 Innings | 5r, 29r, 12r, 131r, 141r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 30r, 19r, 20r, 13r, 76r. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 21 INNINGS – 733 RUNS – 3W. |
4. MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE – RHB+RALB
| Recent 5 Innings | 47+2W, 15r, 26r, 4r, 20r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 18r, 46+0W, 44r, 20r, 15r. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 10 INNINGS – 496 RUNS – 55A – 0W. |
5. JOSH INGLIS (WK) – RHB
| Recent 5 Innings | 120r, 22r, 0r, 102r, 4r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 28r, 5r, 0r, 50r, 1r. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 5 INNINGS – 84 RUNS. |
6. GLENN MAXWELL – RHB+RAO
| Recent 5 Innings | 32+1W, 1r, 28+0W, 76+0W, 90r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 1+0W, 3+2W, 12+0W, 35+0W, 15+0W. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 15 INNINGS – 127 RUNS – 11W. |
7. ALEX CAREY (WK) – LHB
| Recent 5 Innings | 69r, 41r, 156r, 46r, 22r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 2r, 99r, 12r, 6r, 3r. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 12 INNINGS – 355 RUNS. |
8. SEAN ABBOTT – RHB+RAF
| Recent 5 Innings | 1W, 20+3W, 0W, 7+0W, 4W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 23+2W, 0W, 7+2W, 9+1W. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 4 INNINGS – 41 RUNS – 5W. |
9. BEN DWARSHUIS – LAMF
| Recent 5 Innings | 3W, 1W, 4W, 0W, 2W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| Total Stats vs SA | NOT PLAYED YET. |
10. ADAM ZAMPA – RALB
| Recent 5 Innings | 2W, 1W, 0W, 0W, 3W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 0W, 1W, 3W, 0W, 4W. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 18 INNINGS – 19 WICKETS. |
11. NATHAN ELLIS – RAMF
| Recent 5 Innings | 0W, 2W, 3W, 1W, 1W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs SA | 1W, 1W, 1W, 2W. |
| Total Stats vs SA | 4 INNINGS – 5 WICKETS. |
SOUTH AFRICA (SA)
TEAM NEWS
- South Africa did not perform very well in recent odi series and lost the last 2 ODI series against Afghanistan & Pakistan.
- South African team started the champions trophy with a win of 107 runs against Afghanistan.
- Last time when both teams Australia and South Africa played against each other, South Africa team failed to defend a total of 212 runs and lost the match by 3 wickets.
- Ryan Rickelton has scored 103 runs in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Temba Bavuma has scored 58 runs in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Aiden Markram has scored 52 runs in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Rassie van der Dussen has scored 52 runs in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Kagiso Rabada has taken 3 wickets in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Lungi Ngidi has taken 2 wickets in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Wian Mulder has taken 3 wickets in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Marco Jansen has taken 1 wicket in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- Keshav Maharaj has taken 1 wickets in 1 innings in this season of Champions Trophy.
- In the last ODI match South African team successfully defended a total of 315 runs and won the match by 107 runs against Afghanistan.
- Ryan Ricketlton scored 103 runs, Temba Bavuma Scored 58 runs, Rassie van der Dussen scored 52 runs, Aiden Markram scored 52 runs in the previous match against Afghanistan.
- Kagiso Rabada took 3 wickets, Lungi Ngidi & Wiaan Mulder took 2-2 wickets each and Keshav Maharaj & Mrco Jansen took 1-1 wickets each in the previous match against Afghanistan.
- Both teams have played 110 odi matches and South Africa won 55 matches and lost 51 matches against Australia.
SQUADS
Batting – Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs (wk), Temba Bavuma ©, Tone de Zorzi, Rassie Van der Dussen, David Miller.
Bowling – Keshav Maharaj, Tabraziz Shamsi, Kagisio Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
All Rounder – Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch.
POSSIBLE PLAYING 11
Ryan Riceklton (wk) Temba Bavuma ©, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markan, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
PLAYER STATS:
1. RYAN RICELTON (WK) – LHB
| Recent 5 Innings | 103r, 33r, 44r, 22r, 59r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | NOT PLAYED YET. |
2. TEMBA BAVUMA © – RHB
| Recent 5 Innings | 58r, 82r, 20r, 106r, 40r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 0r, 35r, 0r, 57r, 46r. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 7 INNINGS – 278 RUNS – 46A. |
3. RASSIE VAN DER DUSSEN – RHB
| Recent 5 Innings | 52r, 23r, 40r, 30r, 48r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 6r, 26r, 30r, 62r, 17r. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 7 INNINGS – 244 RUNS. |
4. AIDEN AMRKRAM – RHB+RAO
| Recent 5 Innings | 52r, 6+1W, 11+1W, 2W, 62+0W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 10+1W, 56r, 93r, 8r, 102r. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 11 INNINGS – 412 RUNS – 1W. |
5. HEINRICH KLAASEN – RHB
| Recent 5 Innings | 87r, 76r, 13r, 66r, 5r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 47r, 29r, 6r, 174r, 0r. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 13 INNINGS – 578 RUNS – 57.8A. |
6. DAVID MILLER – LHB
| Recent 5 Innings | 14r, 6r, 45r, 29r, 24r. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 101r, 17r, 63r, 82r, 8r. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 26 INNINGS – 1033 RUNS – 57.4A. |
7. WIAAN MULDER – RHB+RAMF
| Recent 5 Innings | 12+2W, 2+2W, 64+0W, 30+1W, 0W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | NOT PLAYED YET. |
8. MARCO JASNEN – RHB+LAMF
| Recent 5 Innings | 1W, 5+2W, 23+1W, 1W, 3W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 0W, 26+2W, 47+5W, 1W, 32+0W. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 7 INNINGS – 160 RUNS – 10W |
9. KESHAV MAHARAJ – LAO
| Recent 5 Innings | 1W, 0W, 0W, 1W, 1W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 1W, 2W, 4W, 1W, 2W. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 9 INNINGS – 12 WICKETS. |
10. KAGISO RABADA – RAF
| Recent 5 Innings | 3W, 4W, 2W, 2W, 0W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 1W, 3W, 3W, 2W, 2W. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 16 INNINGS – 30 WICKETS. |
11. LUNGI NGIDI – RAMF
| Recent 5 Innings | 2W, 1W, 0W, 0W, 1W. |
| Stats on venue | NOT PLAYED YET. |
| 5 Innings Against vs AUS | 1W, 0W, 4W, 1W, 6W. |
| Total Stats vs AUS | 9 INNINGS – 19 WICKETS. |
HEAD TO HEAD RECORDS
TOTAL MATCHES PLAYED – 110
- AUS WIN – 51
- SA WIN – 55
- NO RESULT – 04.
FANTASY TEAM
SMALL LEAGUE(SL-TEAM)
WK BATSMAN – R. Rickelton, J. Inglis.
BATSMEN – T. Head, R. van der Dussenn, T. Bavuma.
ALL-ROUNDERS – A. Markram, M. Short, M. Jansen.
BOWLERS – A. Zampa, B. Dwarshuis, K. Rabada.
GRAND LEAGUE(GL-TEAM)
WK BATSMAN – R. Rickelton, A. Carey, J. Inglis, H. Klaasen.
BATSMEN – S. Smith, M. Labuschagne, R. van der Dussenn.
ALL-ROUNDERS – G. Maxwell, W. Mulder.
BOWLERS – K. Rabada, L. Ngidi.
BACK-UPS – S. Abbott, N. Ellis.
CAPTAIN/VICE-CAPTAIN (SL) – R. Ricekton, A. Markram
CAPTAIN/VICE-CAPTAIN (GL) – H. Klaasen, R. van der Dussen.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME –
AUSTRALIA MAY BE THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH.
