South Africa kicked off their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in style, thanks to a commanding performance against Afghanistan at Karachi's National Stadium. Electing to bat first, South Africa amassed a formidable 315/6 in their allotted 50 overs, laying the groundwork for an assertive 107-run victory. The spotlight shone brightly on Ryan Rickelton, who delivered a brilliant maiden ODI century, crafting an impressive 103 off 106 deliveries.
The South African innings was built on a solid foundation with notable contributions from the middle order. Captain Temba Bavuma took the charge early on with a brisk 52 runs off just 36 balls, setting the tone. Meanwhile, Aiden Markram anchored the innings with a steady 55, complementing Rickelton's heroics and taking South Africa past the 300-run mark. Despite a spirited effort from Afghanistan's premier spinner Rashid Khan, whose economical figures of 2 for 51 were a rare highlight, the rest of the bowling lineup struggled to contain South Africa's batting prowess.
In response, Afghanistan's innings was fraught with struggles and missed opportunities. Rahmat Shah stood out as a beacon of resistance with a determined 90, but he found little support from the other end as the team stumbled to 208 all out in 43.3 overs. South Africa's bowling attack, led by the fierce Kagiso Rabada who snapped up 3 wickets for 36 runs, proved too much for the Afghan side. Fellow pacer Wiaan Mulder matched Rabada's performance with an identical 3/36 tally, while Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi took two wickets apiece, ensuring a comprehensive win.
At the post-match press conference, Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi did not shy away from acknowledging the shortcomings in their batting lineup. He maintained a hopeful tone, expressing optimism for upcoming fixtures. On the other hand, Bavuma praised his team for their well-rounded and clinical execution of game plans, emphasizing the significance of the win, which ended a worrying six-match losing streak in ODIs. South Africa's triumph sets a promising stage as they prepare for their next Group B encounter against Australia, where they aim to carry forward the momentum.
