During the delayed Champions Trophy 2025 match between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi due to heavy rain, former Indian player Mohammad Kaif criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for inadequate ground coverage. With play not yet starting and overs already reduced, both teams, having won their openers, await a resolution. Australia, missing key pace bowlers like Cummins and Starc, are buoyed by their strong batting lineup after a historic win over England. The weather forecast looks grim, raising concerns about the match proceeding, as fans hope for improved conditions.
Australia vs South Africa Live Updates, Champions Trophy 2025© AFP
Live Updates: Australia vs South Africa, Champions Trophy 2025: Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their failure to adequately cover the Rawalpindi ground, leading to a delay in the toss due to heavy rainfall. Starting from 3:30 PM IST (3 PM local time), the number of overs is set to decrease. If the match eventually begins, it will not be played in full. Currently, the pitch remains covered. The winning team will likely secure a semi-final position from Group B. The Steve Smith-led squad aims to build on their historic opening victory against England, while South Africa comes off a strong win over Afghanistan by 107 runs. Australia will miss their pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood during this tournament, but their explosive batting in the opener helped cover for their absence. (Live Scorecard)
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Live Updates: Australia vs South Africa, direct from Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
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February25202517:21 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Kaif criticizes PCB, ICC!
Ex-India batsman Mohammed Kaif has expressed disappointment with the PCB and ICC for not providing adequate coverage on the ground amid the rain in Rawalpindi. On social media, Kaif underscored the significance of this match, particularly after both teams triumphed in their initial games.
It’s unfortunate that the Rawalpindi ground lacks full coverage. A match of this significance – SA vs Aus – may be jeopardized because of this oversight. Was the ICC’s budget utilized appropriately by the host? pic.twitter.com/nPwthd1fji
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 25, 2025
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February25202517:07 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: 3 hours until cut-off!
We are now less than three hours away from the cut-off time. Water accumulation on the covers persists, but fans remain hopeful for positive updates from the ground.
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February25202516:29 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: New playing conditions announced!
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the cut-off time for a 20-over match is set for 7:32 PM local time (8:02 PM IST). Overs are already being curtailed, and the rain is intensifying; losing an over every 4.2 minutes.
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February25202515:30 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Unfortunate news!
We have now officially started to lose overs, and there is no further information regarding the toss. The covers remain in place, and the overall situation appears quite bleak.
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February25202514:59 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Update on playing conditions!
The reduction in overs will commence from 3 PM local time (3:30 PM IST), which is just 30 minutes away.
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February25202514:53 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Weather isn’t promising!
I just checked the forecast for Rawalpindi over the upcoming days. The city is expected to experience significant rainfall until Saturday, which is when South Africa and England are scheduled to compete in Karachi. Today’s forecast is also discouraging, with heavier rain anticipated as the day progresses. The floodlights are on due to visibility issues caused by cloudy conditions.
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February25202514:32 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Rain is causing delays!
There is still no update regarding the toss, as rain persists in Rawalpindi. Both teams are patiently awaiting the weather to clear. The outlook is not encouraging.
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February25202514:00 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Toss may be postponed!
The toss is likely to be delayed due to a light drizzle. There is no sign of activity on the ground as the covers remain intact.
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February25202513:49 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Drizzle ongoing!
There is currently light drizzle in Rawalpindi. The square and run-up areas remain covered, even though precipitation is minimal.
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February25202513:37 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Historical encounter!
This marks the inaugural match between Australia and South Africa in the Champions Trophy. In previous 50-over World Cups, Australia leads 5-3.
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February25202513:30 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Predicted team line-ups!
Australia Predicted XI: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (capt), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
South Africa Predicted XI: Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
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February25202513:20 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Anticipating a run fest?
While South Africa successfully defended a total exceeding 300 runs against Afghanistan, Australia successfully chased their second-highest target in Lahore against England. We can expect another high-scoring encounter in Rawalpindi.
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February25202513:16 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: The race for semi-final spots intensifies!
India and New Zealand have qualified for the semi-finals from Group A. The two teams will compete on Sunday to determine their final standings at the conclusion of the group stage. A win tonight would put Australia and South Africa significantly closer to qualification.
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February25202512:58 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Australia’s remarkable win over England
Josh Inglis delivered a stellar performance, securing his first ODI century as Australia, the reigning world champions, executed a record chase to defeat England by five wickets in their Champions Trophy Group B opener in Lahore on Saturday. This remarkable victory marked the highest successful chase in an ICC white-ball tournament.
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February25202512:56 (IST)
AUS vs SA, Live: Australia’s formidable lineup
While Australia will miss the firepower of their pace trio – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood – during the tournament, their outstanding batting performance in the opener effectively covered their absence. Josh Inglis’s confidence is undoubtedly soaring after his standout innings, complemented by contributions from Matthew Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, and Glenn Maxwell.
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February25202512:44 (IST)
Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Greetings
Welcome to our live coverage of the Champions Trophy 2025, Group B matchup between Australia and South Africa, directly from the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Stay tuned for all the latest updates.
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