South Africa triumphed over Afghanistan by 107 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener. Ryan Rickelton’s maiden ODI century, alongside consistent contributions from other batsmen, led to a team score of 315-6. In response, Afghanistan struggled against South Africa’s pace bowlers, ending their innings at 208. Temba Bavuma credited his team’s performance, while Afghanistan’s Shahidi acknowledged the need for improved batting execution.
In the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi, South Africa achieved a resounding 107-run victory over Afghanistan. Opener Ryan Rickelton made an impressive debut with his first one-day international century, scoring 103 runs off 106 balls. His performance, along with contributions from Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52), and Aiden Markram (52*), propelled South Africa to a total of 315-6.
The South African pace attack dominated Afghanistan’s batting lineup, with Kagiso Rabada taking 3 wickets for 36 runs, Wiaan Mulder claiming 2 for 36, and Lungi Ngidi also taking 2 wickets. Afghanistan, in reply, managed only 208 runs, ultimately being dismissed in 43.3 overs. Notably, their renowned leg-spinner Rashid Khan went wicketless, conceding 59 runs from his 10 overs, showcasing South Africa’s effective batting strategy.
Rahmat Shah emerged as Afghanistan’s top scorer with a resilient 90 runs, but crucial early wickets led to a collapse. Chasing a challenging target, Afghanistan lost their opener early and were in dire straits at 50-4. Despite a brief recovery, South Africa’s disciplined bowling cemented their victory, effectively ending Afghanistan’s chances.
Captain Temba Bavuma praised the team’s clinical performance after winning the toss and opting to bat first. He stated, “It’s a clinical performance. We got the rub of the green with the toss… and then were clinical with the ball.” In contrast, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed disappointment in his team’s batting, admitting the pitch favored the South African bowlers.
Rickelton’s innings included seven boundaries and a six before he fell victim to a run out after achieving his century. Van der Dussen added quick runs before being dismissed, while Markram’s late surge helped South Africa surpass 300 runs, enhancing their total in the final overs. As the tournament progresses, Australia will face England in another Group B clash on Saturday.
The group stage includes formidable teams, with Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in Group A. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, intensifying the competition for the champions’ title.
South Africa’s emphatic opening win in the Champions Trophy against Afghanistan highlighted their strong batting and bowling performances. Ryan Rickelton’s maiden century and the pace attack’s effectiveness were crucial in securing the victory. With this match, South Africa sets a solid precedent for the tournament, whereas Afghanistan needs to address their batting shortcomings in future matches for better performance.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
