Karachi: The highly anticipated clash between South Africa and Afghanistan took place today at the National Stadium as part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. South Africa, opting to bat first after winning the toss, set the stage with an impressive total of 315 runs, putting the pressure on Afghanistan to chase down 316 for victory.
Leading from the front, South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton stole the spotlight with his remarkable century, scoring 103 runs off 106 balls, which included seven boundaries and one six. This achievement made Rickelton the first wicketkeeper-batter from South Africa to score a century in the history of the Champions Trophy. His stellar performance was marred by getting run out due to the swift throw from Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, but not before he had made his mark on the game.
Besides Rickelton, captain Temba Bavuma also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 58 runs from 76 balls. His innings helped stabilize the innings after some early losses. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram chipped in with valuable contributions of 52 runs each, guiding their team through the middle overs and setting up the solid foundation required for their innings.
Markram's explosive finish, which saw him blast 52 runs off just 36 deliveries, effectively propelled South Africa past the 300-run mark, showcasing their batting depth. Collectively, the team’s effort culminated in posting 315 runs for the loss of six wickets after their allotted 50 overs.
On the bowling front for Afghanistan, veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi emerged as the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets for 51 runs, causing trouble for the South African middle order. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ajmatullah Omarzai, and Noor Ahmad each contributed with one wicket to contain the South African scoring at various junctions during the innings.
Facing the challenging total, Afghanistan commenced their innings with hopes intact. Their opening pair, consisting of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, made their way to the crease, knowing they needed to achieve their highest-ever target against one of the tournament favorites.
Afghanistan got off to a rocky start, losing early wickets, including their opener Gurbaz who managed only 10 runs. Although they found initial resistance with players like Rahmat Shah who scored 47 runs with commendable effort, the batting order fell to pressure as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
With the score standing at 114 with five wickets lost after 27 overs, Afghanistan was struggling to maintain their required run rate and faced the brink of defeat as the required target loomed larger. The tension was palpable as South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, capitalized on every opportunity to stifle the Afghan innings.
Marko Jansen also left his mark on the bowling charts taking a wicket and maintaining tight lines, pushing Afghanistan against the wall. The performances of South Africa's bowlers coupled with their able fielding posed significant roadblocks for the Afghan batting lineup.
Yet, the spirit of competition was evident as Afghanistan sought to make the most of every delivery they faced, setting the stage for what could develop as their watershed moment on this international platform. Their last hopes lay with the experienced Mehran Shahid, whose skillful stroke-play brought the crowd to life.
Despite the challenges, with the climate conditions favoring the day and the crowd fully engaged, there was no denying the atmosphere was electric with excitement as the match unfolded.
Both teams are determined to start their Champions Trophy campaign on the right note. This match not only carries weight for the current standings but also reflects the capabilities of each team as they aim to make their mark on cricket’s grand stage.
With the tournament still young, the stakes remain high for both teams. South Africa looks to carry their winning momentum forward, with aspirations of lifting the trophy. On the other hand, Afghanistan, having made their Champions Trophy debut, aims to etch unforgettable memories, hoping for the upsets they are capable of achieving against larger cricketing nations.
To conclude, as the innings progressed, it became evident the match was not just about scoring runs; it was embedded with pride, passion, and the dreams of both teams. With updates streaming live, the excitement for cricket aficionados continued to build as the match unfolded with every delivery.