Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa hammered Afghanistan by 107 runs

South Africa began their campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025 with a commanding win over Afghanistan by 107 runs on Friday, February 21 at National Stadium, Karachi. After opting to bat first, South Africa posted a mammoth score of 315/6 in their allotted 50 overs as Ryan Rickelton (103 off 106) starred with his maiden ODI hundred.

In reply, Afghanistan crumbled under huge scoreboard pressure as their chase never got going, and they were bundled out for 208 in 43.3 overs. Rahmat Shah fought a



lone battle for his team with his innings of 90 (92) while Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball for the Proteas, registering figures of 3/36 in 8.3 overs.

Afghanistan didn’t get off to a flying start as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran were watchful early on, adding 12 runs in the first three overs. It didn’t take long for South Africa to end their resistance as Lungi Ngidi surprised Gurbaz (10 off 14) with a bouncer, who top-edged a pull shot to Keshav Maharaj at short-leg final.