South Africa started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a stunning victory over Afghanistan in match number three on Friday at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The Proteas posted a commanding score of 315/6 in 50 overs. Temba Bavuma’s men lost Tony de Zorzi early on before the skipper and Ryan Rickelton got along and added 129 runs for the 2nd wicket. Bavuma scored a solid 76-ball 58, whereas Rickelton smashed his maiden ton. Rickelton then shared 44 runs alongside Rassie van der Dussen before perishing. Notably, van der Dussen also got to a fifty as Aiden Markram came in and smashed a whirlwind half-century to help SA get past 310.
For the Afghans, Mohammad Nabi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/51. Noor Ahmad, Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed one scalp each.
During the chase of 316 runs, Afghanistan found no joy and stuttered. Their openers were sent back cheaply. Thereafter, wickets kept tumbling and the side never looked like having the intent to step up. Rahmat Shah was the lone warrior for Afghanistan. He brought his experience into play and smoked a brilliant fifty. Afghanistan were bowled out for a score of 208.
The SA bowlers hunted the Afghans down and bowled well as a unit. They kept things tight and didn’t allow much freedom. Rahmat fought hard for a score worth 90 from 92 balls. For SA, Kagiso Rabada was sensational. The Afghans folded for 208 runs. Here, we decode three heroes and three zeroes of the contest.
Heroes
Ryan Rickelton: The South African wicketkeeper batter smashed his maiden ODI century. It was a stunning knock from the opener, who put a price on his wicket and shared a magnificent stand alongside skipper Bavuma. The southpaw’s ability to play free-flowing strokes allowed the Proteas scorecard to keep on moving. With Bavuma taking his time, Rickelton was left unfazed and played a solid knock. He also stitched a useful stand with van der Dussen before being run-out. This was his 2nd fifty-plus score in ODIs. It’s also his 7th ton in List-A cricket. He smoked seven fours and a maximum. Rickelton will play for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2025.
Aiden Markram: The senior Proteas batter came in and played a brisk knock of 52* from 36 balls. He walked in when SA lost Rickelton and were 201/3 after 35.3 overs. Markram shared two vital partnerships alongside van der Dussen and David Miller. His blitz helped the Proteas accelerate and post their 2nd-highest score in Champions Trophy history. Markram’s 52* off 36 balls saw him smoke six fours and a maximum. This was the batter’s 12th fifty in the format, as he also boasts three tons. As per Cricbuzz, Markram hit the fastest fifty by a SA batter in the Champions Trophy (33 balls).
Kagiso Rabada: South African speedster Kagiso Rabada was excellent for his side. After Lungi Ngidi dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the 4th over, it was Rabada who sent back Ibrahim Zadran. Notably, Zadran failed to deal with the pace of Rabada all along before being castled. His middle stump went for a toss. Afghanistan were reduced to 50/4 at one stage before Rahmat and Azmatullah Omarzai shared a 39-run stand. Just when Afghanistan got some respite, it was danger man Rabada who dismissed Omarzai. A length ball on the leg saw Omarzai tuck away and get a fine nick behind. Rabada ended with a three-wicket haul. He dismissed Rahmat late on to finish with 3/36 from 8.3 overs. He bowled a maiden as well.
Zeroes
Rashid Khan: The Afghan spin sensation had a bad day at the office with the ball. Not only did Rashid go wicketless, but he also was butchered for runs. In 10 overs, he conceded 59 runs. His googly was picked by van der Dussen, who smashed him for two sixes. He also leaked three fours. Rashid failing to take wickets hurt the Afghans, who often rely on him for inroads. Rashid never settled in the match, and the Proteas batters fed on his loose balls and got runs. His line and length went missing as the batters rotated the strike well. Rashid looked too eager for a wicket and strayed away from the right areas.
Sediqullah Atal: 16 runs from 32 balls in a chase of 316 runs summed up Sediqullah Atal’s performance. He came in at number three and struggled for momentum. Atal walked in when his side was 16/1 before being dismissed in the 14th over. When he was out, the Afghans were 50/3. Atal hit 2 fours in his knock. And then, out of nowhere, he threw his wicket away, getting run out. He tried to steal a single when it wasn’t necessary, and Marco Jansen had his man short on the ground. It was a poor knock from Atal.
Hashmatullah Shahidi: The Afghan skipper walked in when his side was 50/3. He consumed three balls before perishing off the 4th. Shahidi had to stay there for the Afghans, who were in tatters, but his decision to play an attacking shot in those circumstances ended his stay. Shahidi tried to take on Wiaan Mulder and came down the pitch before slapping the ball flat and hard. However, Bavuma timed his jump to perfection at mid-on and took a superb catch. The shot was unnecessary from Shahidi as the Afghans were reduced to 50/4 with his dismissal. Being a skipper, it was a poor decision at a crucial juncture.