Ryan Rickelton’s anchoring century and a strong all-round bowling performance guided South Africa to a commanding 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the third match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at Karachi's National Bank Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a challenging target of 316, Afghanistan were bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs, despite a valiant knock from Rahmat Shah. The middle-order batter top-scored for Afghanistan with 90 runs off 92 balls, including nine fours and a six.
However, Shah's effort was largely unsupported, with Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai contributing just 18 runs each.
Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Africa’s bowling attack, claiming three wickets. Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi supported well, picking up two wickets each. Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen rounded off the attack with one wicket apiece.
South Africa’s decision to bat first, made by captain Temba Bavuma, was vindicated as they posted a competitive total of 315/6.
Despite an early setback when Mohammad Nabi dismissed Tony de Zorzi for 11, Bavuma and Rickelton steadied the innings with a 129-run partnership for the second wicket. Bavuma made a solid 58 off 76 balls, including five boundaries, before Nabi struck again.
Rickelton continued to anchor the innings, bringing up his maiden ODI century with a knock of 103 runs off 106 balls, which included seven fours and a six. He was eventually run out by Rashid Khan.
Rassie van der Dussen contributed 52 off 46 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, before being dismissed. Aiden Markram then provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 52 off 36 balls, including six fours and a six. Markram also shared a vital 50-run partnership with David Miller, who added 14 runs off 18 balls.
For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 51 runs from 10 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi all took one wicket each.
Rickleton was named man of the match for his spectacular knock.
Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad.
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
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