- 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.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to David Miller, Dot! Miller just hasn't got going! Fuller and on off. A yorker. This is jammed back to the bowler.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket. A single taken.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Even better! This is a master class from Markram. Fuller and on off. Markram thumbs is down the ground and this goes to the long off fence. Three in a row. Fazalhaq Farooqi under massive pressure here.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Make that two in a row! Outside off. Yet again in the slot. Fuller. It is lofted over cover and this goes to the fence.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, FOUR! That's the length Markram likes! Outside off. This is hit over cover and this goes to the fence. This could be a huge over. A boundary on the very first ball.
- David Miller 14 (16)
- Aiden Markram 35 (27)
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Outside off. Miller chops it to cover.
Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, Just short there! A full toss on the pads. Markram sweeps. It goes to deep square leg. Lands just short of the fielder there.
Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, SIX! Gets hold of this one. Absolutely nails it. On middle. Fuller. This is lofted over the long on fence for another biggie.
Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Finds the gap! Fuller and outside off. This is hit over cover and it goes to the fence.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Flatter and on middle. This is pushed back to the bowler. This is frustrating Miller now.
- David Miller 13 (13)
- Aiden Markram 24 (24)
Fazalhaq Farooqi to David Miller, He does! Just the 8 from it! That's good at this stage of the game. On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Just the one! Outside off. This is guided past point for one. Been a decent over so far. Can he end it well? Just the 7 from it.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, FOUR! That's a fine shot! Fuller and on off. Markram makes room and lofts it over cover. This one gets to the fence. Really picked his spot well and will this get him going?
Fazalhaq Farooqi to David Miller, Miller is happy taking the singles! On the stumps. This is worked through square leg for one.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to David Miller, Another dot! Fuller and on off. This is driven back to the bowler.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Just the one! Outside off. Fuller. This is hit through covers for one.
- David Miller 11 (10)
- Aiden Markram 18 (21)
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Two to end! Very full and outside off, Miller crunches it through covers for a couple.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Floats it up, outside off, Miller mistimes his push back to Ahmad.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Tossed up full and on leg, Miller leans to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. Tailing down.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Wide! Spills it down the leg side, Miller fails to flick.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Bowls it on the pads, Miller flicks it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Quicker full and on middle, Miller defends well.
Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, Off the edge! Flights it very full on off, spins away. Markram gets a thick edge as he swings across, it rolls to short third man for one.
- David Miller 7 (5)
- Aiden Markram 17 (20)
Gulbadin Naib to David Miller, Good length ball on off, Miller punches it straight to cover.
Gulbadin Naib to Aiden Markram, Shorter and on off, Markram pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Gulbadin Naib to David Miller, Outside off, Miller guides it through point for a single.
Gulbadin Naib to David Miller, FOUR! Threads it through! Sort in length and outside off, Miller powers his pull shot through mid-wicket and it dissects the fielder perfectly.
Gulbadin Naib to Aiden Markram, A slower length ball on middle, Markram turns it to long on for one.
Gulbadin Naib to David Miller, Serves it full and on middle, Miller flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
- Aiden Markram 15 (18)
- David Miller 1 (1)
Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, Flighted outside off, Markram strokes it through covers for a couple of runs.
Noor Ahmad to David Miller, Too full and on the pads. Miller flicks it to square leg for a single.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, OUT! GONE! A huge roar from the crowd as Noor Ahmad strikes. Fifty and out. Perfectly bowled! Serves it full and around off, spins away. Rassie van der Dussen looks to heave but balloons it to backward point where Hashmatullah Shahidi takes a dolly.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, The googly outside off, Rassie van der Dussen pushes it to cover.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Slightly short and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen pulls it to deep square leg for a couple.
Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, Full and outside off, Markram drives it to long off for a single.
- Rassie van der Dussen 50 (43)
- Aiden Markram 12 (16)
Rashid Khan to Rassie van der Dussen, Not the best of spells from Khan but still on the economical side! On middle, Rassie van der Dussen blocks.
Rashid Khan to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off, Rassie van der Dussen punches it to point.
Rashid Khan to Rassie van der Dussen, SIX! He nailed that shot! These two have played together recently so Rassie van der Dussen knows a bit or too! Fifty up as well! Full and on off, Rassie van der Dussen slog-sweeps it over mid-wicket for a six. South Africa eyeing 350 now.
Rashid Khan to Rassie van der Dussen, Flatter and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen cuts it to cover.
Rashid Khan to Aiden Markram, Too full and outside off, Markram drives it to long off for a single.
Rashid Khan to Aiden Markram, Full and outside off, Markram punches it to Khan. Good stop.
- Rassie van der Dussen 44 (39)
- Aiden Markram 11 (14)
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Quicker and cramps Rassie van der Dussen for room. This is blocked out.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Good shout for LBW but pitching down leg, Flat and on middle and leg. Rassie van der Dussen fails to flick.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Flat and around off, Rassie van der Dussen blocks.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Fuller and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen smashes it to covers, it bounces in front of the fielder and rolls away. Two.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! Runs flowing! Poor delivery! Well down leg, Rassie van der Dussen sweeps it to fine leg for a boundary.
Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off. This is slapped down to long off. Two taken.
- Rassie van der Dussen 36 (33)
- Aiden Markram 11 (14)
Rashid Khan to Rassie van der Dussen, Flatter and outside off. This is punched past cover for one.
Rashid Khan to Rassie van der Dussen, SIX! He absolutely nails this one! On middle. The slog sweep is out. It sails over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
Match Statistics
Venue
National Stadium, Karachi
