South Africa triumphed over Afghanistan by 107 runs in their Champions Trophy opener, scoring 315 for 6. Ryan Rickelton starred with a maiden ODI century (103), supported by Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52), and Aiden Markram (52*). Afghanistan faltered in their chase, with Rahmat Shah’s 90 being the only notable innings as they were bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs, failing to achieve their highest successful chase. Kagiso Rabada took 3 wickets, while Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder each claimed 2, ensuring a solid performance from South Africa.
South Africa scored 315 for 6 (Rickelton 103, Bavuma 58, Makram 52*, van der Dussen 52, Nabi 2-51) defeating Afghanistan who made 208 (Rahmat 90, Rabada 3-36, Mulder 2-36, Ngidi 2-56) by 107 runs
Rickelton’s innings was nearly flawless throughout. He exuded calm, whether during an early wicket of Tony de Zorzi or while Bavuma took time to adjust. He found the boundary whenever possible and adeptly rotated the strike. He began with a stylish punch past mid-off on his third ball before hitting back-to-back boundaries against Fazalhaq Farooqi in the fifth over—first with a powerful pull through midwicket and then a cut past point.
De Zorzi also managed two boundaries but was dismissed by a casual delivery from Mohammad Nabi. When Nabi bowled his first ball in the sixth over, it was a short one on off stump. De Zorzi could have hit that anywhere; instead, he inexplicably popped it straight to mid-on.
Bavuma came in at No. 3, taking time to settle. He scored only seven runs off his first 19 balls before hitting a couple of boundaries to find his rhythm. Meanwhile, Rickelton welcomed Azmatullah Omarzai with two exquisite fours to bring up his fifty off just 48 balls.
South Africa reached 83 for 1 after 15 overs, but a significant phase was approaching: South African batters against Afghanistan’s spinners. Here, Rickelton truly showcased his skills. Having been teammates with Rashid Khan in MI Cape Town during the SA20, he gained valuable experience in the nets against him.
Between overs 11 and 20, South Africa scored 58 runs with minimal risk. Bavuma, too, reached his fifty, only his second in away matches, as he continued his excellent form. He and Rickelton built a solid 129-run partnership for the second wicket before Bavuma holed out to deep midwicket, falling to Nabi’s second wicket.
By then, Rickelton was already into the 90s, having cruised effortlessly. Afghanistan’s fielding didn’t help, marred by numerous misfields, including a missed run-out opportunity, while Noor Ahmad particularly struggled. His deliveries were either too short or too full, and he often lost his rhythm trying to dart the ball in.
Rickelton smoothly transitioned into the 90s and became the first South African batter to score a century on Champions Trophy debut with a gentle push to long-off.
Afghanistan received a fortunate break when Rickelton was run out in an unusual manner. He nudged a length ball from Rashid back to the bowler, who made a quick throw to the wicketkeeper. Rickelton, out of his crease, was slightly caught off-guard, and as he attempted to dive back, his bat fell just short of the crease. Though his bat was across the line, it was airborne when Rahmanullah Gurbaz dislodged the bails.
However, any respite Afghanistan hoped for quickly vanished. Van der Dussen, not in great form coming into the tournament, displayed graceful stroke play. Alongside him, Markram also settled in well, with both scoring fifties. In the final five overs, South Africa racked up 51 runs, securing an impressive total.
Full report to follow…
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo