South Africa is set to play Afghanistan in their ICC Champions Trophy opener at the National stadium in Karachi on Friday, 21 February. Spinner Keshav Maharaj believes that building pressure and limiting boundary balls will be the key to being successful in Pakistan.
Maharaj explained that the pitch does not turn as much as expected during the day but offers more spin at night. His focus is on building pressure, limiting boundary balls, and bowling dot balls to take wickets. Furthermore, he aims to deliver his best deliveries while adjusting field placements to challenge batters.
The Proteas (1.40) are favourites on Easybet for the match against Afghanistan (2.95). On paper, South Africa has the upper hand. They are fifth in the ICC World Rankings, while Afghanistan are eighth.
However, Afghanistan have proven that they can be tough opponents in their past clashes with Rob Walter’s side.
The Key to Success According to Keshav Maharaj
“It’s obviously… doesn’t turn here as much as one would think it does but you know at night, it goes a little bit more than expected and then during the day it’s a little bit slow so I just got to understand, I know my role within the attack at times and I think to get success it’s about building pressure and just limiting the boundary balls in between,” Maharaj said at the press conference ahead of the opening match.
“The more dot balls you bowl here, I think that’s the formula towards getting wickets, especially with the spin and then I’m still trying to bowl my best ball and just adapt the fields from time to time to make the batters think differently.”
Maharaj’s role at the ICC Champions trophy
Maharaj expects to play the sort of holding role that is typical of spin bowlers in South Africa.
“Probably more of that sort of holding role that one’s accustomed to when seeing spin bowlers in South Africa,” he said regarding the role that he is expecting to play.
“For me, it’s just when that role does come about it’s not about changing the way you’re bowling, it’s just about changing the field sense that we have. I’m still trying to bowl my best ball to create opportunity but probably a more defensive type of field that may not carry a slip for so long, maybe having a mid-on-up from time to time so ya, that’s the sort of mindset.
“You never know what the conditions may pose because we’ve had two very contrasting wickets in terms of how we played although the scores were very similar so ya, it’s about adapting and trying to find the right pace from a bowling perspective to get the most purchase out of the wicket.”
Conclusion
Maharaj has played 45 one-day internationals for South Africa, taking 55 wickets with a best
of four for 33. As the Proteas seek to reverse their poor run of form in the 50-over game against a potentially tricky opponent, they will need him at his very best.
South Africa squad – ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans),
Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Marco Jansen (North West
University Dragons), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj
(Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller
(Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum
Multiply Titans), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions),
Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), and Rassie
van der Dussen (DP World Lions).
Travelling reserve
Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions)
ICC Champions Trophy – South Africa Group Stage Itinerary
- Friday, 21 February – Afghanistan vs South Africa – The National Stadium, Karachi
- Tuesday, 25 February – Australia vs South Africa – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Saturday, 01 March – South Africa vs England – The National Stadium, Karachi
