South Africa showcased a dominant performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, securing a commanding 107-run victory over Afghanistan in a match played at National Stadium, Karachi, on Friday.
The Proteas demonstrated their prowess in both batting and bowling, ensuring a comprehensive win.
Batting first after winning the toss, South Africa posted an imposing total of 315 for six in their allotted 50 overs. Their top-order batsmen delivered crucial performances, with Ryan Rickelton leading the charge with a magnificent century. The conditions posed some challenges early on, but South Africa’s batters adapted well, showing resilience against Afghanistan’s bowling attack. Skipper Temba Bavuma later acknowledged that choosing to bat first was the right call, as the surface proved favorable for run-scoring.
Afghanistan, in response, struggled against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs. The Afghan batting line-up crumbled under pressure, losing five wickets before even reaching 100 runs. Rahmat Shah was the lone warrior, attempting to resist South Africa’s relentless bowling, but he found little support from his teammates.
South Africa’s bowlers put in a collective effort to dismantle the Afghan batting order. Kagiso Rabada was exceptional with the ball, picking up three crucial wickets. Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen also delivered impactful spells, while Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder contributed effectively, ensuring Afghanistan never settled into a rhythm.
After the match, South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, expressed satisfaction with his team’s clinical performance. He highlighted that the unpredictable bounce in the pitch required patience and skill, something the South African batters executed well. Bavuma specifically praised Rickelton’s knock, emphasizing how his innings set the foundation for their commanding total.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted that his team was below par, especially in the first 20 overs. He acknowledged that the toss played a crucial role but credited South Africa for their sharp bowling performance. Shahidi remained hopeful that Afghanistan would bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches.
Ryan Rickelton was named Player of the Match for his brilliant century. Reflecting on his performance, he shared that he initially felt nervous but was pleased to contribute significantly to South Africa’s victory. He noted the challenging nature of the pitch but was glad the batters handled it well.
Ultimately, South Africa outplayed Afghanistan in all departments, delivering a commanding statement in the tournament. With this emphatic win, South Africa has set a strong precedent for the matches ahead, while Afghanistan will need to regroup and strategize better for future encounters.
