Champions Trophy: Rickelton, Rabada star in SA’s dominant 107-run win over Afghanistan

Karachi, Feb 21 (IANS) 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 & 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.

A brief resistance came through Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmat Shah, who tried to steady the ship. However, Rabada’s return in the 22nd over resulted in Omarzai’s dismissal for 18, gloving a short ball to the keeper. Meanwhile, Rahmat Shah stood firm, playing an anchoring role to keep Afghanistan’s hopes alive. He brought up a fighting half-century off 62 balls, displaying remarkable control and composure despite wickets tumbling at the other end.

Even as South Africa maintained relentless pressure, Rahmat continued to accumulate runs, dispatching boundaries when given the opportunity. His milestone moment arrived with a well-placed flick between mid-on and midwicket. Despite his efforts, the required run rate kept climbing, making the chase increasingly improbable.

The atmosphere in Karachi reached a fever pitch when Rashid Khan walked out to bat. The crowd favourite wasted no time, smashing his first ball over deep point for six before following up with another big hit over mid-on. He then took on Keshav Maharaj, slamming back-to-back fours in an electrifying cameo. However, the high-risk approach backfired as Maharaj eventually had him caught at midwicket, bringing an end to his brief yet entertaining 18-run knock off 13 balls.

Rahmat Shah continued fighting till the end, launching four consecutive boundaries in a last-ditch effort. However, wickets kept falling around him, and he was eventually the last man dismissed for 90 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs. South Africa’s bowling unit was clinical, with Rabada leading the way with three wickets, while Ngidi and Mulder chipped in with two each.

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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