South Africa captain Temba Bavuma believes that the Champions Trophy format is tougher than the ODI World Cup. He said, “It is not like the 50-over World Cup where you actually have time to step up every now and then. Here, we will really have to be on top of our game.” He emphasised that teams must perform well from the start since there is little time to settle in.
South Africa will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Afghanistan on February 21 in Karachi. Their second match will be against Australia on February 25 in Rawalpindi, followed by a clash with England on March 1 in Karachi. Bavuma highlighted the importance of starting strong: “We have set our sights on where we want to be in the Champions Trophy, but we know that we are gonna have to play well from game one.”
Read more: Every ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad
Bavuma also spoke about the tri-nation series in Pakistan, calling it a great opportunity for domestic and T20 league players to prove themselves. “It is a lovely opportunity for a couple of guys who have been doing well in domestic cricket and in T20 leagues to make a statement on what value they can add to the team,” he highlighted.
He added that playing in Pakistan before the Champions Trophy will help the team understand the conditions better. “The tri-series will give us a chance to acclimate to playing in Pakistan and get knowledge to share with a wider group, and it is also an opportunity for young players to keep playing in the future.”
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