South Africa started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a dominant 107-run win over Afghanistan in Karachi on Friday. As a result, they joined India and New Zealand in securing opening-match victories.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton led the charge with his maiden ODI century, scoring 103 off 106 balls. His knock helped South Africa post a strong 315/6. Later, pacer Kagiso Rabada took 3/36, ensuring Afghanistan collapsed for 208. Consequently, South Africa earned two points and a significant boost in Net Run Rate.

This was the first Group B match. Meanwhile, in Group A, India and New Zealand had already defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier this week.

Afghanistan Struggles Under Pressure

Afghanistan faced an uphill task chasing 316. However, South Africa’s bowlers controlled the game from the start. Despite high expectations, star spinner Rashid Khan failed to take a wicket, conceding 59 runs in his 10 overs.

Rahmat Shah was the only Afghan batter to show resistance. He fought hard, scoring 90 off 92 balls with nine boundaries and a six. Still, he was the last man out as Afghanistan failed to build partnerships.

Initially, Afghanistan needed a solid start. Instead, they lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) and Ibrahim Zadran (17) within the first 10 overs. Soon after, Sediqullah Atal (16) and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (0) followed, leaving them reeling at 50/4.

At this stage, Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai tried to rebuild. They added 39 runs, but just as things seemed to settle, Rabada and Marco Jansen struck again. As a result, Afghanistan’s hopes faded further when Jansen dismissed Mohammad Nabi.

Toward the end, Rashid Khan entertained briefly. He smashed 18 off 13 balls, including a six and three fours. Nevertheless, the result was already decided.

South Africa’s Batting Dominance

Earlier, South Africa chose to bat first. Rickelton led the charge, receiving solid support from Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52), and Aiden Markram (52*). Consequently, their contributions powered the total past 300.

Afghanistan struck early when Mohammad Nabi dismissed Tony de Zorzi (11) with his very first ball. However, Rickelton and Bavuma steadied the innings with a crucial 129-run partnership.

Bavuma played a composed knock, hitting five fours in his 58 off 76 balls. Eventually, he fell to a short delivery from Nabi, giving Afghan fans a rare moment to cheer.

Soon after, Rickelton, who already had two Test centuries, reached his first ODI hundred with a single. But two runs later, he was dismissed in an unfortunate run-out. Attempting to return to the crease after missing a shot off Rashid Khan, he dived but was slightly short. Replays showed his bat was raised when wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz dislodged the bails.

Following Rickelton’s dismissal, Van der Dussen played an aggressive knock. He smashed two sixes and three fours in his 46-ball 52. However, Noor Ahmad removed him in the 43rd over.

In the final overs, Markram took charge. His unbeaten 52 off 36 balls, including six fours and a six, ensured South Africa added 50 runs in the last five overs.