Fri Feb 21 10:40:00 UTC 2025: ## South Africa Dominates Early in Champions Trophy Clash Against Afghanistan
**Karachi, Pakistan** – South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first in their Champions Trophy 2025 match against Afghanistan today at the National Stadium in Karachi. The match marks the first ever ODI meeting between the two nations in this tournament, though they have a history of close contests in the ODI format.
Ryan Rickelton led the South African charge, scoring a century (103 runs) in his first ODI hundred, a feat achieved with a single off Mohammad Nabi in the 35th over. His 101-ball century formed a significant partnership with captain Temba Bavuma, who contributed 58 runs before being caught at deep mid-wicket off Nabi. Bavuma’s innings included a half-century (his sixth in ODIs). Earlier, Tony de Zorzi was dismissed for 11 runs, leaving South Africa at 28/1.
Despite a slow start, South Africa reached 50 runs in the 11th over and 100 in the 20th. A flurry of runs followed, with the team crossing 150 in the 28th over. However, Rickelton’s century was cut short when he was run out by Rashid Khan.
Heinrich Klaasen was absent from the South African squad due to injury. The absence of Klaasen, along with the potential impact of other key players like Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj, will be a factor to watch.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will rely on the experience of Mohammad Nabi and the explosive batting of wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and the skill of leg-spinner Rashid Khan. The team is without top bowler Allah Ghazni, sidelined due to injury.
The Karachi pitch is typically batsman-friendly, though spinners may find some turn. The weather forecast is favorable, with sunny skies and partly cloudy conditions expected, and no rain predicted.
The match continues.
First Piper 