Champions Trophy: South Africa thrash Afghanistan by 107 runs

KARACHI: South Africa secured a convincing 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the third match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Chasing a formidable target of 316, Afghanistan were bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs.
The Afghan innings got off to a shaky start, scoring only 38 runs in the first powerplay while losing two wickets.

Top batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the first to depart, scoring 10 off 14 deliveries. He attempted to pull Lungi Ngidi but was caught by Keeshav Maharaj at short fine leg.

Ibrahim Zadran (17) also failed to make an impact, bowled by Kagiso Rabada as Afghanistan struggled at 38-2. Sediqullah Atal (16) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (0) fell in quick succession, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 50-4.

Azmatullah Omarzai provided a brief counter-attack, scoring 18 runs with three boundaries before being caught behind with 89 runs on the board.

Rahmat Shah continued to bat sensibly but kept losing partners. Mohammad Nabi (8), Gulbadin Naib (13), and Rashid Khan (18) were all dismissed.

A 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Rahmat Shah and Noor Ahmad (9 off 15 balls) provided some resistance before Ahmad was clean-bowled by Wiaan Mulder. Soon after, Rahmat Shah perished, handing South Africa a 107-run victory.

Rahmat Shah top-scored with 90 off 92 deliveries, hitting nine fours and a six.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada picked up three wickets for 36 runs, while Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder grabbed two wickets each.

Earlier, Ryan Rickelton smashed a ton as South Africa set a 316-run target for Afghanistan.

After electing to bat first, South Africa lost opening batter Tony de Zorzi early in the inning as he was dismissed on 11 off 11 balls.

Following his dismissal, captain Temba Bavuma joined Ryan Rickelton and the two stitched a 129-run partnership to take their side to 157 in 28.5 overs before the former fell for 58.

Rickelton was then involved in another crucial partnership with middle-order batter Rassie van der Dussen in their opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The opening batter shared a 44-run stand with Dussen and completed his maiden ton in the ODI format.

The partnership ended when Ryan Rickelton was run out by Rashid Khan after scoring 103 off 106 balls.

Rassie van der Dussen scored 52 while Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 52 off 36 balls to help South Africa post 315/6 on the scoreboard.

Pertinent to note here that the eight-team Champions Trophy 2025 will feature 15 matches over 19 days, taking place in Pakistan and Dubai.

Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.