ICC Champions Trophy: Australia, South Africa promise run fest in Rawalpindi

Australia and South Africa clash in Rawalpindi with strong batting lineups aiming for Champions Trophy semifinals.

Australia and South Africa, two teams possessing plenty of batting firepower, will look to outmuscle each other in Rawalpindi on Tuesday (February 25, 2025) and put one foot in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy.

Not many were giving a depleted Australia a chance in the tournament but their record-breaking chase against England in Lahore has once again shown their penchant for rising to the occasion in ICC events.

The dew played its part the other night in Lahore and could once again aid the chasing team in Rawalpindi.

Australia are bound to miss the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the tournament but at least in the opener, the audacious batting display compensated for their absence.

Josh Inglis' confidence must be sky high after playing the innings of his life with runs also coming from the bat of Matthew Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell.

That leaves out only skipper Steve Smith and opener Travis Head in the batting department and they could score a big one against the Proteas.

A better bowling effort would be expected from left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson and Maxwell too was on the expensive side against England. The sixth bowler's role is likely to be shared by Labuschagne and Short.