ICC Champions Trophy 2025 : Ryan Rickelton’s stunning century leads South Africa to massive victory over Afghanistan
South Africa kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a commanding 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the 3rd Match, Group B at the National Stadium, Karachi. A scintillating 103 from Ryan Rickelton, combined with half-centuries from Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and Temba Bavuma, powered South Africa to 315/6 in 50 overs. Afghanistan, in response, faltered despite Rahmat Shah’s valiant 90, getting bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs.
Rickelton’s Century Anchors South Africa’s Innings
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, South African captain Temba Bavuma backed his team’s ability to set a strong total. The openers, Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi, made a steady start before Mohammad Nabi struck in his first over, removing de Zorzi for 11.
Rickelton, however, played a controlled yet aggressive innings, mixing classic drives with innovative sweeps. Bavuma played the anchor role, keeping the scoreboard ticking as the duo stitched together a 129-run second-wicket partnership.
Bavuma brought up his half-century off 63 balls before mistiming a pull shot, falling to Nabi for 58 off 76 balls. Meanwhile, Rickelton reached his maiden ICC tournament century in the 33rd over, but his innings ended shortly after when Rashid Khan’s quick reflexes led to a run-out.
At 201/3, South Africa needed acceleration in the final overs, and Rassie van der Dussen (52 off 46) and Aiden Markram (52 off 36)* provided exactly that. Their quick-fire knocks propelled the team past the 300-run mark, ensuring South Africa set Afghanistan a daunting 316-run target.
Among Afghanistan’s bowlers, Mohammad Nabi (2/51) and Noor Ahmad (1/65) offered some resistance, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai picked up a wicket each. However, their lack of penetration in the middle overs allowed South Africa to build a strong total.
Afghanistan’s Batting Collapses Under South African Pressure
Facing a tough chase, Afghanistan struggled right from the start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 10 in the fourth over, edging a Lungi Ngidi bouncer to Keshav Maharaj. Kagiso Rabada then delivered a fiery spell, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran for 17 with a searing delivery that shattered his middle stump.
By the 15th over, Afghanistan was reeling at 50/4, with Sediqullah Atal getting run out and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi departing for a duck after edging Wiaan Mulder to Bavuma in the slips.
Rahmat Shah was the lone warrior, playing a brilliant counterattacking innings of 90 off 92 balls, hitting nine boundaries and a six. He added valuable runs with Azmatullah Omarzai (18) and Mohammad Nabi (8), but wickets continued to tumble at the other end.
With Afghanistan at 208/9 in the 43rd over, Rahmat’s resistance finally ended when he was caught behind off Rabada, sealing South Africa’s comprehensive 107-run win.
South African Bowlers Execute Their Plans Perfectly
The Proteas’ pace attack was relentless, using the Karachi pitch’s inconsistent bounce to dismantle Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
- Kagiso Rabada (3/36) led the attack, picking up crucial wickets, including Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran.
- Wiaan Mulder (2/36) and Marco Jansen (1/32) maintained tight lines, dismissing Shahidi, Noor Ahmad, and Nabi.
- Lungi Ngidi (2/56) removed Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib early on.
- Keshav Maharaj (1/46) controlled the middle overs, dismissing Rashid Khan and restricting scoring opportunities.
Captain’s Reactions: Bavuma Lauds Clinical Team Effort
After the match, Temba Bavuma praised South Africa’s execution with both bat and ball:
“It was a brave decision to bat first, but we backed ourselves. The batters fronted up well, and we finished strongly. The bowlers then executed their plans, hitting the right lengths consistently.”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi acknowledged his team’s struggles, citing early wickets as the key turning point:
“We weren’t good enough in the first 20 overs. The toss was crucial today; the cracks on the pitch made batting tricky. South Africa bowled well, and we lost too many early wickets.”
What’s Next? South Africa Prepares for Australia Showdown
South Africa’s strong start gives them a confidence boost ahead of their next match against Australia in Group B. Afghanistan, meanwhile, must regroup quickly to stay in contention for the knockout stages of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Scorecard of Afghanistan vs South Africa, 3rd Match, Group B – ICC Champions Trophy 2025
National Stadium, Karachi | February 21, 2025
South Africa Innings – 315/6 in 50 Overs
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Rickelton (wk) | 103 | 106 | 7 | 1 | 97.17 | Run out (Rashid Khan/Gurbaz) |
| Tony de Zorzi | 11 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 | c Azmatullah b Mohammad Nabi |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | 58 | 76 | 5 | 0 | 76.32 | c Sediqullah Atal b Mohammad Nabi |
| Rassie van der Dussen | 52 | 46 | 3 | 2 | 113.04 | c Hashmatullah b Noor Ahmad |
| Aiden Markram | 52* | 36 | 6 | 1 | 144.44 | Not out |
| David Miller | 14 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 77.78 | c Rahmat Shah b Fazalhaq Farooqi |
| Marco Jansen | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | b Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Wiaan Mulder | 12* | 6 | 1 | 1 | 200.00 | Not out |
| Extras | 13 | (b 0, lb 0, w 13, nb 0, p 0) | ||||
| Total | 315/6 in 50 overs | |||||
| Did not bat: Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi |
Fall of Wickets:
1-28 (Tony de Zorzi, 5.1), 2-157 (Temba Bavuma, 28.5), 3-201 (Ryan Rickelton, 35.3), 4-248 (Rassie van der Dussen, 42.4), 5-298 (David Miller, 47.6), 6-299 (Marco Jansen, 48.2)
Afghanistan Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 8 | 0 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7.40 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 6 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6.50 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 0 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5.10 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 0 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5.90 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 7 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Noor Ahmad | 9 | 0 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7.20 |
Afghanistan Innings – 208 All Out in 43.3 Overs
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | 10 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 71.43 | c Maharaj b Lungi Ngidi |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 17 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 58.62 | b Kagiso Rabada |
| Sediqullah Atal | 16 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 50.00 | Run out (Marco Jansen) |
| Rahmat Shah | 90 | 92 | 9 | 1 | 97.83 | c Rickelton b Kagiso Rabada |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | c Bavuma b Wiaan Mulder |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 18 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 66.67 | c Rickelton b Kagiso Rabada |
| Mohammad Nabi | 8 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 47.06 | c Rabada b Marco Jansen |
| Gulbadin Naib | 13 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 68.42 | c Bavuma b Lungi Ngidi |
| Rashid Khan | 18 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 138.46 | c Markram b Keshav Maharaj |
| Noor Ahmad | 9 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 60.00 | b Wiaan Mulder |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 0* | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Not out |
| Extras | 9 | (b 2, lb 0, w 6, nb 1, p 0) | ||||
| Total | 208 all out in 43.3 overs |
Fall of Wickets:
1-16 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 3.2), 2-38 (Ibrahim Zadran, 9.4), 3-50 (Sediqullah Atal, 14), 4-50 (Hashmatullah Shahidi, 14.4), 5-89 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 22.6), 6-120 (Mohammad Nabi, 28.6), 7-142 (Gulbadin Naib, 34.2), 8-169 (Rashid Khan, 37.3), 9-208 (Noor Ahmad, 42.6), 10-208 (Rahmat Shah, 43.3)
South Africa Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Jansen | 8 | 1 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4.00 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 8 | 0 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 8.3 | 1 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4.20 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 9 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4.00 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 10 | 0 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4.60 |
Match Summary:
- South Africa: 315/6 (50 overs)
- Ryan Rickelton: 103 (106), Aiden Markram: 52* (36)
- Mohammad Nabi: 2/51, Noor Ahmad: 1/65
- Afghanistan: 208 all out (43.3 overs)
- Rahmat Shah: 90 (92)
- Kagiso Rabada: 3/36, Lungi Ngidi: 2/56
- Result: South Africa won by 107 runs
Player of the Match: Ryan Rickelton (103 off 106 balls, 7 fours, 1 six)
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