Ryan Rickelton scored his first ODI century, leading South Africa to a 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy 2025. Kagiso Rabada’s bowling performance helped secure the win, while Rahmat Shah fought hard for Afghanistan. This match marks Afghanistan’s first game in the tournament.
Ryan Rickelton led South Africa to a decisive 107-run victory over Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener, scoring his first ODI century with 103 runs off 106 balls, including seven fours and one six. His performance helped the Proteas post a total of 315/6.
In response, the South African bowlers, spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada’s three wickets, effectively restricted Afghanistan. Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder contributed with two wickets each, while Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj also took scalps to secure the win.
During the match, Marco Jansen showcased his agility with a direct hit run-out of Rahmat Shah, and Temba Bavuma’s excellent catch dismissed Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi without scoring. Rahmat Shah fought valiantly for Afghanistan, scoring 90 runs but couldn’t prevent the fall of wickets at the opposite end.
South Africa elected to bat first after winning the toss against Afghanistan, who were making their Champions Trophy debut. Following an early loss, Rickelton and Bavuma formed a solid partnership, adding 129 runs for the second wicket before Bavuma was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi.
Rassie van der Dussen contributed a quick 52 off 46 balls, while Aiden Markram accelerated towards the end with a fast fifty. Rickelton was eventually run out by Rashid Khan, who demonstrated impressive skill in a miraculous bowling effort.
In summary, Ryan Rickelton’s stellar century and the South African bowlers’ disciplined performance were pivotal in their victory against Afghanistan. South Africa displayed strong batting depth and effective fielding, while Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah stood out despite the team’s struggles. This match marked a successful start for South Africa in the Champions Trophy 2025 tournament.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
