Watch cricket video highlights of Champion’s Trophy 2025 third Match 2025. Between Afghanistan and South Africa. Venue of the match will be Dubai.
1st Innings
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2nd Innings
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Copyright – Third Party Reference Inline Linking Embedded Video from ICC
Report
Ryan Rickelton is demonstrating the importance of accumulating runs. He entered the Champions Trophy following a strong SA20 season, where he ranked as the fourth-highest scorer. Prior to that, he had scored 259 in the New Year’s Test against Pakistan. Last Friday, he had the chance to make an impact in the 50-over format as he achieved his first ODI century in just his seventh match, contributing to South Africa’s comprehensive 107-run victory over Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy opener.
South Africa batted first on a Karachi pitch with a nice cover of grass, capitalizing on Rickelton’s 103, coupled with solid fifties from Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram to finish with a total of 315 for 6. This meant that Afghanistan needed to record their highest-ever successful chase to win on their Champions Trophy debut. However, they never really came close. Rahmat Shah provided a glimmer of hope with a brisk 90 off 92 balls, being the last batter dismissed.
Yet, with the second-highest score being just 18, Afghanistan was never truly competitive. Kagiso Rabada took three wickets, while Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder each claimed two, as Afghanistan was bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs. Rickelton’s innings was largely impeccable from start to finish. He maintained a calm demeanor, regardless of early wickets or Bavuma taking time to find his rhythm. He capitalized on boundary opportunities while effectively rotating the strike.
Rickelton began with a beautiful punch past mid-off on the third ball, followed by consecutive boundaries off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the fifth over, including a powerful pull through midwicket and a cut past point. De Zorzi also hit two fours but fell to an indifferent delivery from Mohammad Nabi. After being introduced in the sixth over, Nabi’s first delivery was a drag-down on off stump. De Zorzi could have dispatched that ball anywhere, but he instead softly guided it straight to mid-on.
Bavuma entered at No. 3 and took his time to acclimate. He managed only seven runs from his first 19 balls before getting a couple of fours to settle in. Meanwhile, Rickelton selected Azmatullah Omarzai for two exquisite boundaries to reach his fifty off just 48 balls. After 15 overs, South Africa was well-placed at 83 for 1, but a crucial phase was approaching: the South African batters versus Afghanistan’s spinners. This was where Rickelton truly showcased his talent.
Having faced Rashid Khan frequently during their time with MI Cape Town in the SA20, his experience was evident. During overs 11 to 20, South Africa accumulated 58 runs with minimal risk. Bavuma also reached his fifty, marking his second away from home as he continued to find form. Together, they forged a solid 129-run partnership for the second wicket before Bavuma was caught at deep midwicket as Nabi celebrated his second wicket. By that stage, Rickelton was closing in on his century and had done so with little effort.
The Afghan fielders did not assist their cause, with multiple misfields and a botched run-out opportunity. Noor Ahmad particularly struggled, bowling either too short or too full while attempting to dart the ball in and losing his lines. Rickelton cruised through his 90s, ultimately becoming the first South African batter to score a century on Champions Trophy debut with a gentle push to long-off.
However, if Afghanistan expected any relief, it wasn’t forthcoming. Van der Dussen, entering the tournament in less than stellar form, showcased his fluidity in stroke play. Meanwhile, Markram also found his rhythm, with both players registering fifties. The last five overs produced 51 runs for South Africa, allowing them to set a total that was above par. For Afghanistan to successfully chase 316 runs, it was crucial for Gurbaz to start strongly. However, South Africa’s opening bowlers were not prepared to make it easy for him.
Ngidi’s short delivery proved to be Gurbaz’s downfall, as he top-edged the ball to Keshav Maharaj at short fine leg. Sediqullah Atal, batting at No. 3, had a difficult time. Ibrahim Zadran eventually released some pressure by hitting Rabada over wide long-on. This infuriated the bowler, who retaliated with a blazing 148.3 kph delivery that destroyed Ibrahim’s middle stump. The South African pace attack focused on maintaining a hard length. During the initial 15 overs, 33 of the balls bowled by South Africa were either short or not quite good length.
Atal’s challenging innings came to an end with a run-out after he was beaten ten times and played 14 false shots in his 32-ball stint. Shortly after, Hashmatullah Shahidi was dismissed as Bavuma pulled off a remarkable catch at mid-on, leaving Afghanistan in a tough position at 51 for 4 after 15 overs. Rahmat was the only batsman displaying resilience, reaching fifty off 62 balls. Yet, with no other batsman sticking around, Afghanistan was in constant trouble.
The Karachi crowd, which showed up in large numbers to back Afghanistan, found their voice when Rashid struck three fours and a six in his rapid innings of 18 off 13 balls. Nevertheless, there was little for the audience to celebrate otherwise. Rahmat ultimately became the last batter to be dismissed, edging Rabada’s delivery to Rickelton for 90, as South Africa secured their first ODI victory after six attempts.
