Karachi witnessed an exhilarating showdown at the National Bank Stadium as South Africa secured a resounding 107-run victory against Afghanistan in the third match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. The match saw a stellar performance from Ryan Rickelton, who anchored the innings with a remarkable century, complemented by a collective bowling effort that dismantled Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
South Africa’s Dominant Batting Performance
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that paid off handsomely as the Proteas posted a formidable total of 315/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Rickelton’s Heroic Century Steadies the Ship
Despite an early setback with Tony de Zorzi (11) falling to Mohammad Nabi in the sixth over, Bavuma and Rickelton took charge of the innings, orchestrating a 129-run partnership for the second wicket. Bavuma’s composed knock of 58 off 76 balls, which included five boundaries, laid a strong foundation before he was dismissed by Nabi.
Rickelton continued his majestic form, displaying a blend of patience and aggression to reach his maiden ODI century. His innings of 103 off 106 balls, featuring seven boundaries and a six, was instrumental in propelling South Africa towards an imposing total. His innings, however, ended in disappointment as he was run out by Rashid Khan.
Middle-Order Brilliance: Markram and Van der Dussen’s Contributions
Following Rickelton’s dismissal, Rassie van der Dussen stepped up with a fluent 52 off 46 deliveries, adorned with three fours and two sixes. His efforts were short-lived as Noor Ahmad struck to remove him, adding pressure on the Proteas.
Nevertheless, Aiden Markram showcased his prowess with a blistering unbeaten 52 off just 36 balls, comprising six boundaries and a six. His late onslaught, combined with David Miller’s steady 14 off 18 balls, pushed South Africa past the 300-run mark, ensuring a stiff challenge for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Struggles
Despite putting in an earnest effort, Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the Proteas. Mohammad Nabi emerged as the standout bowler, claiming 2/51 in his 10 overs, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up a wicket each but were unable to stem the run flow effectively.
Afghanistan’s Faltering Chase: Rahmat Shah’s Lone Battle
Chasing a daunting 316-run target, Afghanistan’s batting faltered under relentless pressure from South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack. The team was eventually bundled out for 208 in 43.3 overs.
Rahmat Shah’s Gritty 90 in Vain
The lone warrior in Afghanistan’s lineup was Rahmat Shah, who played a valiant knock of 90 off 91 deliveries, embellished with nine fours and a six. However, he found little support from the rest of the batting order.
Lack of Support from Other Batters
Apart from Rahmat, only Rashid Khan (18) and Azmatullah Omarzai (18) showed some resistance, but their contributions were far from enough to pose any serious threat to South Africa’s commanding total. The rest of the batting unit succumbed to the Proteas’ disciplined bowling.
South Africa’s Lethal Bowling Display
The bowling attack of South Africa was ruthless in their execution, dismantling Afghanistan’s batting lineup with precision. Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the attack with three crucial wickets, while Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi bagged two wickets each.
Spinners and Pacers Combine to Seal Victory
The spin department also played a key role, with Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen contributing with a wicket each, ensuring there was no respite for Afghanistan’s batters. The combined efforts from both the fast bowlers and spinners left Afghanistan with no room for recovery.
Key Takeaways from the Match
South Africa’s Strengths
- Ryan Rickelton’s maiden century laid the foundation for a strong total.
- Middle-order resilience ensured a powerful finish to the innings.
- Disciplined bowling performance with Rabada, Mulder, and Ngidi leading the charge.
Afghanistan’s Areas of Concern
- Over-reliance on Rahmat Shah in the batting lineup.
- Ineffective middle-order contributions, failing to build partnerships.
- Lack of penetration in the bowling attack, struggling to break key partnerships.
Looking Ahead
With this emphatic 107-run victory, South Africa has asserted its dominance in the tournament, sending a strong message to its competitors. The team will look to build on this momentum as the competition progresses.
On the other hand, Afghanistan needs to regroup and reassess their approach. Strengthening their batting depth and tightening their bowling unit will be crucial for their upcoming fixtures.
South Africa’s commanding performance in Karachi has set the tone for what promises to be an electrifying tournament ahead.
Khalid Javed is a distinguished journalist and the esteemed Editor of Daily Olympic, a prominent publication in Pakistan. With a career marked by dedication and excellence, Khalid has established himself as a well-known figure in the field of journalism, earning respect for his insightful reporting and editorial expertise. His work at Daily Olympic reflects his commitment to delivering accurate, timely, and impactful news, particularly in the realm of sports and beyond. Khalid’s contributions to the media landscape in Pakistan have not only informed the public but also inspired aspiring journalists. His passion for journalism and his ability to navigate complex stories with clarity and integrity have made him a trusted voice in the industry.