- News
- Sports News
- Cricket News
- Afghanistan vs South Africa Cricket highlights, Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa thrash Afghanistan by 107 runs in Karachi
Afghanistan vs South Africa Cricket highlights, Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa thrash Afghanistan by 107 runs in Karachi
Rickelton cracked a 106-ball 103 with seven boundaries and a six to anchor South Africa's imposing total of 315-6 in the Group B match at the National Stadium.
South Africa's pace attack of Kagiso Rabada (3-36), Wiaan Mulder (2-36) and Lungi Ngidi (2-56) then dismissed highly-fancied Afghanistan for just 208 in 43.3 overs.
South Africa blunted the threat of Afghanistan's slow bowlers with star leg-spinner Rashid Khan going wicketless for 59 runs in his 10 overs.
Rahmat Shah top-scored for Afghanistan with a fighting 92-ball 90 with nine boundaries and a six before he was the last man out.
Chasing a formidable target, Afghanistan desperately needed a fast start but lost flamboyant openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 10 and Ibrahim Zadran for only 17 by the 10th over.
Sediqullah Atal fell for 16 while skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi went without scoring as Afghanistan were left teetering at 50-4.
Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai (18) took the score to 89 before Rabada and Marco Jansen, who got rid of Mohammad Nabi, struck to effectively end Afghanistan's hopes.
Rashid Khan briefly entertained the crowd with a quickfire 13-ball 18 including a six and three boundaries.
Earlier, Rickelton was ably assisted by skipper Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram (52 not out) to steer South Africa to a solid total after they won the toss and batted.
Nabi, who finished with 2-51, provided an early breakthrough with his first ball by dismissing opener Tony de Zorzi, caught at mid-on for 11.
Rickelton and Bavuma then added 129 for the second wicket as Afghanistan toiled in the field.
Bavuma hit five boundaries in his 76-ball knock before he was finally caught off a short Nabi delivery to give some joy to hundreds of Afghan fans in an otherwise sparse crowd.
Rickelton, who has two Test centuries to his name but a previous best of only 91 in ODIs, completed his first white ball century with a single.
Two runs later, however, he was gone, victim of an unlucky run out.
Coming down the pitch to drive Rashid, Rickelton was forced to turn quickly and dive back into his crease as the bowler collected and fired the ball to wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Rickelton appeared to make his ground but replays showed that his bat was slightly raised so not in the crease when Gurbaz whipped off the bails.
Van der Dussen hammered two sixes and three boundaries in his 46-ball knock before falling to spinner Noor Ahmad in the 43rd over.
It was left to Markram to take South Africa past the 300-mark, clubbing six boundaries and a six in a 36-ball 52 not out that helped the Proteas to add 50 runs in the last five overs.
Australia meet England in another Group B clash in Lahore on Saturday.
Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh are in Group A. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, On middle. This worked through square leg for one.
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, Slower and around off. This is guided down to third man for two.
- Ryan Rickelton 51 (52)
- Temba Bavuma 25 (33)
Rashid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Rashid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.
Rashid Khan to Temba Bavuma, On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
Rashid Khan to Temba Bavuma, Two! On middle. Bavuma looks to slog sweep. This goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for two.
Rashid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Almost! Steps out but does not get to the pitch of it. He looks to work it on the leg side but this goes off the outer half through cover for one.
Rashid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Gets away with one! Shorter and down the leg side. Ryan pulls but to short fine leg.
- Ryan Rickelton 50 (48)
- Temba Bavuma 22 (31)
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, FIFTY for Rickelton! Good start to the tournament from him! This has laid the foundation for the Proteas. Shorter and on middle, Rickelton pulls it to mid-wicket for one.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, Good length ball on middle, Rickelton gets behind the line and defends.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Azmatullah Omarzai is not having a good day so far. Bowls it full and on the pads. Rickelton whips down to fine leg for four. On 49.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, Short of a length and on middle, Rickelton goes back to pull but misses and gets hit on the body.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! These two have added 50 runs now! Maybe spin from both sides is needed! Very full and angled away, outside off, this is smashed past cover for four.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, Length and outside off, Rickelton knocks it to cover.
- Temba Bavuma 22 (31)
- Ryan Rickelton 41 (42)
Rashid Khan to Temba Bavuma, Flatter and around off, Bavuma goes back and punches it to Khan. Not the best of starts from Khan.
Rashid Khan to Temba Bavuma, Bowls the googly, full and on middle, Bavuma leans to defend it.
Rashid Khan to Temba Bavuma, Slightly short and outside off, Bavuma punches it through covers and comes back for second.
Rashid Khan to Ryan Rickelton, Darted on the pads. Rickelton flicks it to long on for a single.
Rashid Khan to Temba Bavuma, Goes very full and outside off, Bavuma creams it past cover for one.
Rashid Khan to Temba Bavuma, Bowls it full and outside off, Bavuma softly punches it to point.
Change!
- Ryan Rickelton 40 (41)
- Temba Bavuma 19 (26)
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, Bowls it short and on off, Rickelton pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The man from square leg runs across and cuts it off. Two.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, Good comeback from Azmatullah Omarzai as he bowls it on middle and cramps Bavuma for room, this is worked to mid on for one.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! Solid shot! Lands perfectly for Bavuma as Azmatullah Omarzai bowls it short, this is on middle, it is pulled to square leg for a boundary.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, On a length and outside off, Rickelton plays it to cover for a single.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, Short in length and outside off, Bavuma punches it through point for a single.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, Touch fuller and around off, Bavuma prods and defends it out.
- Temba Bavuma 13 (22)
- Ryan Rickelton 37 (39)
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, A single to end the over as Bavuma drops it to cover.
Mohammad Nabi to Ryan Rickelton, Angling on middle, Rickelton nudges it to mid-wicket for one more.
Mohammad Nabi to Ryan Rickelton, CHANCE! It falls in between the two fielders! Floated full and around off, skids on. Rickelton looks to slog-sweep but miscues it to deep cover. The fielder runs in from there and from long off as well. It meets the ground first.
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, Flat and on middle, Bavuma goes back and turns it to mid-wicket for one.
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up on middle, Bavuma paddles it fine over the keeper to the fine leg fence.
Mohammad Nabi to Ryan Rickelton, Angles it full and on middle, Rickelton drills it to long on for a single.
- Temba Bavuma 7 (19)
- Ryan Rickelton 33 (36)
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, A good length ball on middle, Bavuma solidly defends it.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, Azmatullah Omarzai bangs it short and around off, Bavuma sits under it.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, This is full and on middle, Bavuma flicks it with great timing past square leg for a couple.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, WELL SHORT! Slightly short and on middle, gets big on Rickelton who top edges his pull to fine leg for a single.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Temba Bavuma, Good length ball, outside off, Bavuma dabs it to third man for a single.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Rickelton, Azmatullah Omarzai serves it full and on off, Rickelton knocks it to cover for a single.
- Temba Bavuma 4 (15)
- Ryan Rickelton 31 (34)
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, Shorter and on the body. This is pulled to short fine leg.
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, Sees the batter step out and fires it on off. Defended again.
Mohammad Nabi to Temba Bavuma, Slower and outside off. This is guided to point.
Mohammad Nabi to Ryan Rickelton, On middle. This is worked to mid on for one.
Mohammad Nabi to Ryan Rickelton, Clever bowling! Sees the batter shape up for the reverse sweep and fires it outside off. Ryan misses.
Mohammad Nabi to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up on off. This is driven but to cover.
- Temba Bavuma 4 (12)
- Ryan Rickelton 30 (31)
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Temba Bavuma, Around off. Length. Kept out.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Temba Bavuma, Length and on off. Kept out.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ryan Rickelton, Outside off. This is guided down to third man for one.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ryan Rickelton, SIX! All the way! That's a glorious shot! Steps out. It is a slower one but fuller. Ryan lifts it beautifully and over the long on fence for a biggie.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Temba Bavuma, Angled into the pads. This is worked down to fine leg.
Match Statistics
Venue
National Stadium, Karachi
