AFG vs RSA: SA Dominate with a 107-Run Win | Champions Trophy 2025

AFG vs RSA: South Africa Crush Afghanistan by 107 Runs in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Scorecard Summary

RSA: 315/6 (50 overs) – Rickelton 103(106), Markram 52*(36), Nabi 2/51
AFG: 208/10 (43.3 overs) – Rahmat Shah 90(92), Rabada 3/36, Ngidi 2/52
Result: RSA won by 107 runs
Player of the Match: Ryan Rickelton (103 off 106)

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 witnessed a spectacular performance from RSA, who secured a convincing 107-run victory over AFG in their Group B encounter at the National Stadium, Karachi. With Ryan Rickelton’s explosive century and a well-disciplined bowling display, SA proved too strong for AFG, maintaining their dominance in the tournament.

Rickelton Leads the Charge as SA Posts 315/6

Winning the toss, SA opted to bat first, and their top order laid a solid foundation. Ryan Rickelton, the star of the match, played a magnificent knock of 103 off 106 balls, setting the tone for an imposing total. Tony de Zorzi supported him with a steady 11 off 11, while captain Temba Bavuma chipped in with 58 off 76.

Rassie van der Dussen kept the momentum alive with a quick 52 off 46, but it was Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 52 off 36 that ensured RSA crossed the 300-run mark. David Miller’s cameo of 14 off 18 added some late acceleration. Despite some tight spells from AFG bowlers, they failed to break the SA batting lineup consistently.

Mohammad Nabi was the pick of the bowlers for AFG, claiming 2 wickets for 51 runs, while Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi took one each. However, the bowlers conceded 13 extras, and their inability to contain RSA’s middle order proved costly.

AFG’s Batting Collapses Under RSA’s Bowling Attack

Chasing a daunting 316, AFG had a shaky start. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for 10 off 14, followed by Ibrahim Zadran’s 17 off 29, leaving them struggling early. The pressure mounted as Sediqullah Atal (16 off 32) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (0 off 4) fell cheaply, reducing AFG to 50/4 inside 15 overs.

Rahmat Shah fought back with an aggressive 90 off 92, but he found little support from the middle and lower order. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 18 off 27, and Rashid Khan’s 18 off 13 added some resistance, but AFG kept losing wickets at regular intervals. With the score at 208/10 in 43.3 overs, they fell well short of the target.

RSA's bowling unit was exceptional, with Kagiso Rabada leading the charge, picking up 3 wickets for 36 runs. Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder bagged 2 wickets each, while Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj chipped in with one apiece. Their disciplined attack never allowed AFG to settle into the chase.

Key Match Stats & Turning Points

• Ryan Rickelton (103 off 106) powered RSA’s innings.

• Rahmat Shah (90 off 92) was AFG’s lone warrior.

• Rabada (3/36), Ngidi (2/52), and Mulder (2/36) dismantled AFG’s chase.

• AFG lost 4 wickets under 50 runs, putting them on the back foot early.

With this dominant performance, RSA have made a strong statement in Group B, while AFG will need to regroup quickly for their upcoming matches.