Picture : ICC / X
South Africa produced a superb all- round show as they outclassed Champions Trophy debutant Afghanistan by a convincing 107 runs in the third match of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Karachi .
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first . And opener Ryan Rickelton justified his selection as he powered the Proteas inning with a superb ton 103 ( 106 balls , 7 fours, 1 six). His fellow opener Tony de Zorzi was out cheaply for 11. Skipper Temba Bavuma too was among the runs scoring 58 ( 76 balls , 5 fours). Rassie van der Dussen kept the momentum going with a fluent 52 ( 46 balls, 3 fours 2 sixes) . Aiden Markram remained not out with power packed 52 ( 36 balls , 6 fours, 1 six) , Wiaan Mulder was the other not out batsmen with 12. David Miller ( 14), Marco Jansen ( 0) were the batsmen dismissed. South Africa piling on an impressive 315/ 6 in their 50 overs.
Afghanistan bowlers : Fazalhaq Farooqi 1/ 59 ( 8 overs) , Azmatullah Omarzai 2/ 39 ( 6 overs) , Mohammad Nabi 1/ 51 ( 10 overs) , Ace spinner Rashid Khan went wicketless 0/ 59 ( 10 overs) , Gulbadin Naib 0/ 42 ( 7 overs) , other spin hope Noor Ahmad 1/ 65 ( 9 overs) was expensive. It hurt Afghanistan as they banked heavily on the spin duo to check the Proteas.
In reply , Afghanistan were jolted by regular wickets and they succumbed to the pressure . – The batting line- up says it all – Rahmanullah Gurbaz ( 10 ) , Ibrahim Zadran ( 17) , Sediqullah Atal ( 16) , Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi ( 0) , Azmatullah Omarzai ( 18) , Mohammad Nabi ( 8) , Gulbadin Naib ( 13), Rashid Khan ( 18 ), Noor Ahmad ( 9) . They chase was never really on . Only Rahmat Shah stood tall with his attacking and entertaining innings of 90 ( 92 balls , 9 fours, 1 six). Afghanistan were finally bowled out for 208/ 10 in 43. 3 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi was not out 0.
South Africa bowling : Marco Jansen 1/ 32 ( 8 overs), Lungi Ngidi 2/ 56 ( 8 overs) ,Kagiso Rabada 3/ 36 ( 8.3 overs) , Wiaan Mulder 2/ 36 ( 9 overs), Keshav Maharaj 1/ 46 ( 10 overs)
Match: Champions Trophy, 3rd Match
Venue: Karachi | Date: Feb 21, 2025
