- In the third match of the Champions Trophy 2025, South Africa defeated Afghanistan (SA vs AFG) by 107 runs and started the tournament brilliantly. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton scored a brilliant century.
SA vs AFG: In the third match of the Champions Trophy 2025, South Africa defeated Afghanistan (SA vs AFG) by 107 runs and made a great start to the tournament. In this match played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday, 21 February, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. Batting first, the Proteas scored 315 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs on the scoreboard thanks to Ryan Rickelton’s brilliant century, after which Afghanistan, chasing 316 runs, collapsed for 208 runs and lost the match by 107 runs.
SA vs AFG: Africa scored 315 runs
The Proteas, who won the toss and elected to bat first, had a very bad start and their first wicket fell at 28 runs in the form of Tony DeGeorge. Tony DeGeorge became the victim of Mohammad Nabi after scoring 11 runs. After this, South African captain Temba Bavuma and opener Ryan Rickelton took charge and added 129 runs for the second wicket to take Africa past 150, but at the score of 157, Temba Bavuma got caught by Sediqullah Atal in an attempt to hit a big shot on Mohammad Nabi’s ball.
The captain scored 58 runs in 76 balls, which included 5 fours. After this, Ryan Rickelton scored a brilliant century and took Africa past 200. Rickelton scored 103 runs in 106 balls. After this, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram played innings of 52 and 52 not out respectively, and made a significant contribution in taking South Africa (SA vs AFG) to 315 in the stipulated 50 overs.
SA vs AFG: Rehmat Shah played a brilliant innings
Afghanistan (SA vs AFG) had a very bad start while chasing a big score of 316 runs and both their openers returned to the pavilion in the first 10 overs. Explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi on a personal score of 10, while Ibrahim Zadran was clean bowled by Kagiso Rabada on a personal score of 17. Zadran had hit a six off Rabada’s ball one ball before the wicket was bowled, but he was completely deceived on the next ball and his wickets were scattered in the blink of an eye.
After this, Afghanistan batsmen kept coming one by one and getting out, and at one point half of Afghanistan’s team was back in the pavilion at 89. Coming to bat at number four, Rahmat Shah held one end and kept playing his shots continuously. Rahmat Shah was the last Afghan batsman to get out, who scored 90 runs in 92 balls with the help of 9 fours and a six. Rabada got Shah caught behind the wicket and ended Afghanistan’s innings at 208 runs. Afghanistan (SA vs AFG) lost this match by 107 runs.
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Meet the wives and girlfriends of New Zealand cricketers
Also Read: In Pictures: Wives and Partners of England Cricket Team Players | Champions Trophy 2025