7 March 2025
South Africa's Dominant Display in Karachi
In a highly anticipated start to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, South Africa faced off against Afghanistan at Karachi's National Stadium. Known for their unpredictable performances, Afghanistan aimed to make a statement. However, it was the Proteas who stood tall in this encounter.
Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first, proving the decision fruitful as they racked up 315/6 in their innings. The charge was led by an impressive maiden ODI century from Ryan Rickelton, who scored 103 off 106 balls. Supported by experienced batsmen Temba Bavuma, who managed a solid 58, and Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram, scoring 52 and 50* respectively, South Africa set a target that appeared formidable.
Afghanistan's Struggle to Chase
Chasing a challenging 316, Afghanistan stumbled right out of the gate. The Afghan lineup, celebrated for their recent series win over South Africa in Sharjah, found themselves unable to replicate their triumph. Their innings suffered early blows, with half the team back in the pavilion before reaching a mere 100 runs.
Rahmat Shah was a lone warrior for Afghanistan, crafting a spirited 90 off 92 deliveries. Yet, his efforts were in vain as South Africa's bowlers, led by the fiery Kagiso Rabada who took 3 for 36, tore through the middle order. Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi supported Rabada in dismantling Afghan cricket dreams.
Despite this being Afghanistan's debut in the Champions Trophy, their loss is overshadowed by their promise and potential self-belief. This opening match setback will serve as a learning curve for Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and his team. On the other hand, Temba Bavuma couldn't have asked for a better start with his team's two-point victory, acknowledging their clinical performance and strategic execution.
Notably absent from the game was South Africa's prominent player Quinton de Kock, missing due to an elbow injury, as well as Tristan Stubbs.
The match not only demonstrated South Africa's preparedness for the tournament but also highlighted the areas needing improvement for the Afghan team as they continue to develop on the international stage.
