Ryan Rickelton is proving the importance of form and consistency. He entered the Champions Trophy after an impressive SA20 campaign, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer. Prior to that, he hammered a remarkable 259 in the New Year’s Test against Pakistan.
On Friday, he showcased his prowess in the 50-over format, scoring his maiden ODI century in just his seventh appearance, helping South Africa kick off their Champions Trophy campaign with a commanding 107-run victory over Afghanistan.
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Rickelton’s Century and Clinical Bowling Seal South Africa’s Dominant Win
Batting first on a grassy Karachi pitch, South Africa posted a formidable 315 for 6, courtesy of Ryan Rickelton’s composed 103 and steady half-centuries from Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram. This set Afghanistan the challenge of achieving their highest-ever successful chase on their Champions Trophy debut.
However, Afghanistan never truly threatened the target. Rahmat Shah was the lone bright spot, scoring a brisk 90 off 92 balls before falling as the last wicket. With the next best score just 18, their innings folded for 208 in 43.3 overs. Kagiso Rabada led South Africa’s bowling effort with three wickets, while Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder chipped in with two apiece.
Rickelton’s innings was marked by calmness and precision. He remained unfazed even after Tony de Zorzi’s early dismissal or Bavuma’s slow start, capitalizing on scoring opportunities with boundaries while rotating the strike effectively. His fluent strokeplay included a classy punch past mid-off early on and back-to-back boundaries against Fazalhaq Farooqi in the fifth over—a commanding pull through midwicket followed by a precise cut past point.
Rickelton, Bavuma Steady South Africa with Crucial 129-Run Stand
Tony de Zorzi began positively with two boundaries but gifted his wicket to Mohammad Nabi’s first ball—a short delivery that he mistimed straight to mid-on. Temba Bavuma, coming in at No. 3, took time to settle, scoring just seven runs off his first 19 balls before finding his rhythm with a pair of boundaries. Meanwhile, Ryan Rickelton played fluently, bringing up his fifty off 48 balls with two elegant fours off Azmatullah Omarzai.
South Africa reached 83 for 1 after 15 overs, setting the stage for a crucial phase against Afghanistan’s spinners. Rickelton, familiar with Rashid Khan from their time at MI Cape Town in the SA20, handled him with composure. Between overs 11 and 20, South Africa accumulated 58 runs with minimal risk. Bavuma notched up his second away fifty, partnering with Rickelton for a vital 129-run stand before falling to Nabi at deep midwicket.
By then, Rickelton had eased into the 90s, barely troubled as Afghanistan’s fielding woes—marked by misfields, a missed run-out, and an erratic spell from Noor Ahmad—offered little resistance. Rickelton calmly pushed to long-off to reach his maiden Champions Trophy century, becoming the first South African to achieve the feat on debut in the tournament.
Rickelton’s Unlucky Run-Out Doesn’t Slow South Africa as Van der Dussen, Markram Pile On
Afghanistan earned a fortunate breakthrough when Ryan Rickelton was run out in an unusual manner. He gently pushed a length delivery from Rashid Khan back to the bowler, who fired a sharp throw to the wicketkeeper. Caught slightly off-guard, Rickelton dived to make his ground, but his bat bounced just above the crease as Rahmanullah Gurbaz whipped off the bails, leaving him dismissed despite being over the line.
Any hopes of an Afghanistan comeback were quickly dashed. Rassie van der Dussen, entering the tournament short on runs, found fluency with crisp stroke play, while Aiden Markram settled in smoothly. Both batters notched up fifties, ensuring the momentum stayed with South Africa. The final five overs produced a quickfire 51 runs, propelling them to an above-par total.
South Africa’s Pacers Strike Early, Deny Afghanistan Any Momentum
Chasing 316, Afghanistan needed a strong start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but South Africa’s new-ball bowlers offered no breathing room. Lungi Ngidi’s short-of-a-length delivery drew a top edge from Gurbaz, comfortably pouched by Keshav Maharaj at short fine leg. Sediqullah Atal, batting at No. 3, struggled to find rhythm, while Ibrahim Zadran briefly countered with a powerful six over wide long-on off Kagiso Rabada. The response was swift and fiery—Rabada unleashed a 148.3 kph missile that shattered Zadran’s middle stump.
South Africa’s pace attack focused on a relentless hard length. ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data revealed that in the opening 15 overs, 33 deliveries were either short or just short-of-a-good length, keeping Afghanistan’s batters under constant pressure.
Rahmat’s Lone Resistance Not Enough as South Africa Seal Convincing Win
Sediqullah Atal’s tough stay at the crease, marked by 10 beaten deliveries and 14 false shots in his 32-ball innings, ended with a run-out. Moments later, Hashmatullah Shahidi departed courtesy of a superb catch by Temba Bavuma at mid-on, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 51 for 4 after 15 overs.
Rahmat Shah was the lone bright spot, reaching his fifty off 62 balls and battling on while wickets tumbled around him. The Karachi crowd, largely backing Afghanistan, briefly found their voice when Rashid Khan entertained with a quickfire 18 off 13 balls, featuring three boundaries and a six. Yet, apart from that cameo, there was little joy for the supporters.
Rahmat’s valiant effort ended on 90, edging Kagiso Rabada to Ryan Rickelton as Afghanistan folded for 208. With that, South Africa broke their six-match losing streak in ODIs, clinching a commanding victory.
Read More: Virat Kohli’s Struggles Against Spin: What’s Holding Him Back?
FAQs
Who was the standout performer for South Africa against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy match?
Ryan Rickelton starred with his maiden ODI century, scoring 103 runs and anchoring South Africa’s innings.
How did South Africa post a challenging total against Afghanistan?
South Africa scored 315/6, powered by Rickelton’s century and fifties from Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram.
What went wrong for Afghanistan in their chase of 316?
Afghanistan’s top order crumbled under South Africa’s relentless short-of-a-length bowling, with early wickets derailing their pursuit.
Who was Afghanistan’s top scorer in the match?
Rahmat Shah top-scored with a resilient 90, showing the only notable resistance in Afghanistan’s innings.
How significant was this win for South Africa?
This 107-run victory marked South Africa’s first ODI win in six matches, giving them a strong start to their Champions Trophy campaign.
