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South Africa Win, Shafali Verma’s Blinder And Pakistan Coach – March 1 Cricket Highlights

Aakash Saini

South African players and Shafali Verma [Source: @ICC, @DelhiCapitals/x]South African players and Shafali Verma [Source: @ICC, @DelhiCapitals/x]

South Africa finished the opening round of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as the leaders of the Group B points table. Arshdeep Singh will likely be making his return to India’s ODI team for the match against New Zealand. In Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals flayed hosts and defending champions RCB by nine wickets in an easy chase. 

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Saturday, March 1.

South Africa Top Group B With Big Win Over ENG

South Africa consigned England to a huge seven-wicket defeat in match 11 of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy to top the Group B points table. Jos Buttler, in his final match as England captain, won the toss and opted to bat first. However, his teammates failed to respond to the call as they folded up for just 179 in 38.2 overs. No English batter managed to outscore Joe Root’s mere 37-run effort while Proteas fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder picked up three wickets each.

In response, Rassie van der Dussen at number three and blistering wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen bludgeoned dazzling half-centuries as South Africa soared past the English total in just 29.1 overs at Karachi’s National Stadium.

Arshdeep Singh Likely To Replace Shami For IND Vs NZ

Senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami might well be rested from the Indian playing XI for their upcoming Group A match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand on March 2. According to a PTI report, tearaway paceman Arshdeep Singh will likely be replacing Shami to make his return into India’s ODI setup.

One can assume that Shami will be given a break due to his recent recovery from a long injury break. Arshdeep, on the other hand, has played just nine ODIs for India, with the last of them being during the home ODI series against England last month.

Saqlain Mushtaq Likely To Replace Aaqib Javed As Pakistan Coach

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Aaqib Javed as Pakistan head coach. The ‘Men in Green’, under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, recently failed to win a single game in their home Champions Trophy campaign. Moreover, Pakistan also lost the preceding home ODI tri-series to New Zealand in a one-sided final.

As reported by journalist Qadir Khawaja, there is a possibility that Mushtaq’s first assignment as Pakistan head coach will be their upcoming series against New Zealand.

PCB Announces Ticket Refunds For CT Washouts

In a significant initiative, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to refund full tickets for the two 2025 ICC Champions Trophy fixtures that were entirely washed out due to rains at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan’s planned Group A dead-rubber against Bangladesh, as well as Australia’s high-octane Group B duel against South Africa were both called off without a ball being bowled.

As per the PCB ticket refund policy, fans are eligible to get a full refund if the match is abandoned before the toss.

Delhi Capitals Thrash RCB To Qualify for WPL 2025 Playoffs

Delhi Capitals walloped defending champions RCB by nine wickets in match number 14, also the final match of the Bengaluru leg of the WPL 2025 season. RCB batted first and conjured a competitive 147-5 from 20 overs upfront, with in-form Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry belting an unbeaten 60 from just 47 balls. For the Capitals, fast bowler Shikha Pandey and young spinner Shree Charani picked up two wickets each in the innings.

In response, belligerent opener Shafali Verma bludgeoned 80 unbeaten runs from just 43 balls, while Jess Jonassen at number three made 61* off 38 as the Delhi Capitals cruised to a huge NRR-boosting win in just 15.3 overs. The outcome also strengthened the Capitals claim at the top of the WPL 2025 points table.