South Africa blew away Afghanistan in the opening match of both the sides in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Karachi National Stadium on February 21, Friday. (Match Blog | Full Coverage | Cricket News)
♋Riding on Ryan Rickelton's maiden ODI ton, the Proteas posted 315/6 in 50 overs before a collective bowling effort saw them fold Afghanistan for 208 in 43.3 overs to earn a 107-run victory.
🔯South Africa had won the toss and opted to bat first.
Afghanistan:🌱 Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad
South Africa: ✱Ryan Rickelton(w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
South African top order fired well with Rickelton leading the way with a century. He was well assisted by Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen who both scored fifties. Aiden Markram 🎃scored a 36-ball 52 not out to help Proteas cross 300-run mark and they finished at 315.
Afghanistan batting imploded in front of a big target and they kept losing wickets throughout the innings. Only Rahmat Shah spent some time on the wicket and finished with 90. He fell as the last wicket of the innings and Afghanistan were bowled out for 208 in 43.5 overs. Kagiso Rabada 🌳picked three wickets for South Africa while Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi took a couple of wickets each.
ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚSouth Africa play Australia next while Afghanistan face England in their next game.
