Fans in Karachi's National Stadium witnessed a dominant performance by South Africa as they cruised to a 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025. Batting first, South Africa amassed a formidable 315/6, thanks largely to Ryan Rickelton's outstanding century, his first in ODI cricket. Rickelton scored a composed 103 off 106 balls, setting the stage for the Proteas' commanding total.
Key to South Africa's innings was a substantial 129-run partnership between Rickelton and captain Temba Bavuma, who contributed a steady 58 runs. The team didn't lose momentum, with Aiden Markram accelerating in the final overs, hitting a quickfire 52 off 36 balls to push the team's score beyond the 300-mark.
Faced with a challenging target, Afghanistan got off to a shaky start, with star player Rahmat Shah looking to anchor their chase. Shah played admirably, notching up 90 runs off 92 balls, but found scant support from his teammates. Under the lights, South Africa's bowlers proved too strong, leading to Afghanistan being bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs.
Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the bowling attack with 3/36, dismantling Afghanistan's batting line-up. His efforts were complemented by fellow bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder, who each took two wickets. Marco Jansen's brilliant fielding skills came to the fore with a direct hit that sent Rahmat Shah back to the pavilion, further dashing Afghanistan's hopes.
Interestingly, this match marked Afghanistan's debut in the Champions Trophy, a milestone moment dampened by the team's eventual collapse. Rashid Khan, a crucial player for Afghanistan, was uncharacteristically wicketless, failing to strike in an ODI for the first time in 105 appearances.
Cricket enthusiasts were able to follow the action across platforms with live coverage provided by Star Sports Network, the JioHotstar app, and DD Sports. This comprehensive accessibility allowed fans to witness South Africa's impressive start to the tournament, setting high expectations for their upcoming matches.
