Karachi: South Africa began their ICC Champions Trophy campaign in dominant fashion, securing a convincing 107-run victory over Afghanistan in a Group B encounter at the National Stadium. A maiden ODI century from Ryan Rickelton and a clinical bowling display ensured South Africa snapped their recent ODI losing streak in emphatic fashion.
This was the highest match aggregate (523) involving South Africa and Afghanistan in ODIs.
Batting first, South Africa posted a competitive 315/6, thanks to a superb 103 from opener Ryan Rickelton. The left-hander, in sublime form following his stellar performances in SA20 and the New Year’s Test against Pakistan, anchored the innings with a well-paced knock. Supported by half-centuries from captain Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (50), and Aiden Markram (52*), the Proteas built a formidable total.
Rickelton and Bavuma laid a strong foundation with a 129-run after-opening collapse. Bavuma, initially cautious, grew into his innings before falling for 58 to Mohammad Nabi while trying to accelerate. Rickelton reached his hundred in 102 balls before departing soon after, leaving the middle order to capitalise. Despite Afghanistan’s spinners pulling things back in the middle overs, late contributions from Markram and David Miller ensured South Africa reached a total that proved beyond Afghanistan’s grasp.
Set a challenging target of 316, Afghanistan never gained momentum as South Africa’s pacers dictated terms from the outset. Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi set the tone with disciplined lines and sharp bounce, putting Afghanistan under early pressure. Unlike previous matches where the Karachi pitch offered some swing under the lights, the surface remained placid, requiring the fast bowlers to adapt with back-of-a-length deliveries and short balls.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz had a rough start, taking a painful blow from Jansen before falling for 10 to a well-directed short ball by Ngidi in the fifth over. Ibrahim Zadran attempted to break the shackles with a six off Rabada but was soon undone by a fiery 148.3 kph delivery that sent his middle stump cartwheeling. Sediqullah Atal struggled during his stay, beaten ten times in his 32-ball innings before falling victim to a brilliant piece of fielding from Jansen, who effected a direct hit at mid-on. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi followed suit four balls later, miscuing a shot off Wiaan Mulder to mid-on, leaving Afghanistan in dire straits at 51/4 after 15 overs.
It was a comprehensive victory for South Africa, marking a strong start to their Champions Trophy campaign. Their batting was anchored by Rickelton’s century, while their pacers executed a disciplined plan to dismantle Afghanistan’s lineup. For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah’s valiant 90 was the only silver lining in an otherwise disappointing outing.
Brief scores: South Africa 315/6 in 50 overs (Ryan Rickelton 103, Temba Bavuma 58; Mohammad Nabi 2-51, Fazalhaq Farooqi 1-59) beat Afghanistan 208 all out in 43.2 overs (Rahmat Shah 90, Rashid Khan 18; Kagiso Rabada 3-36, Wiaan Mulder 2-36) by 107 runs. IANS
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