Reckelton hits chanceless ton as star-studded South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Opener Ryan Reckelton smashed a chanceless century as South Africa launched their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in style when they handed out 107-run drubbing to Afghanistan at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 21. 

Chasing a challenging target of 316 off 50 overs for victory, Afghanistan, despite a defiant knock from Rahmat Shah and enjoying strong cheers from vociferous crowd, were bowled out for 207 in 43.3 overs. 

Rahmat came in to bat at number four spot and stood like a rock. He was the last man to be dismissed, caught behind to Ryan Reckelton for 90 off 92 balls with nine fours and one six. 

Rather surprisingly, none of the other Afghan batters showed intent for long innings and he did not receive the desired support from the other end. 

The experienced fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, returning to the side after skipping the recently concluded tri-series, was the pick of South African bowlers, claiming three wickets for 36 runs. His fellow pacemen, Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi, took two wickets apiece. 

The 1998 inaugural trophy winners South Africa mustered a competitive total of 315 for six in 50 overs thanks to a fantastic century from Reckelton and brilliant half centuries from Aiden Markaram, Temba Bavuma and Van der Dussen. 

Afghanistan, making their debut in the event, started badly by losing their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) and Ibrahim Zadran (17) in the power play which was a big setback for them. 

Gurbaz, known for his attacking shots, paid the price of getting adventurous as he attempted to hoist Ngidi out of the ground but ended up offering a catch at fine leg to Keshav Maharaj, who made no mistake. He made 10 in 14 balls with a solitary boundary. 

Zadran struck Kagsio Rabada for a massive straight six but the fast bowler took revenge soon afterwards by uprooting his stumps. Zadran made 17 off 29 balls with a six and a four. 

Opener Rickelton registered fifth century of the ongoing Champions Trophy while Markarm, Bavuma, and Dussen blasted half centuries which propelled South Africa to an impressive total of 315 after having opted to bat first in overcast conditions. 

They lost opener Tony de Zorzi (11) in sixth over with 28 runs on the board. But Rickelton, in the company of captain Bavuma, put Proteas on road to a grand recovery with 129-run second wicket partnership off 142 balls. 

Rickelton, who posted his career best score of 259 during the home Test series against Pakistan just a couple of months ago, played with solid defence coupled with controlled aggression to defy Afghanistan’s powerful pace cum spin attack. 

His entertaining half century came off balls with five fours and a six. However, in an effort to build South African innings, he continued to bat with patience. Bavuma, who survived a previous ball lbw review, ballooned top edge to Sadequllah at mid-wicket trying to hit Muhammad Nabi out of the ground. 

Veteran Afghan spinner Nabi bowled tightly to finish with two wickets for 51 runs in ten overs. Noor Ahmed proved expensive with figures of 1-59 in nine overs while medium pacer Azmatullah Omarzai returned the figures of 1-59 in eight overs. Their premier spinner Rashid Khan went wicketless, going for 59 runs in his ten overs. 

The Afghan spinners, with the sole exception of Nabi, were unable to stem the flow of runs besides after being unsuccessful in bringing about any mini-collapse during the course of the South African innings which hardly ever lost momentum, enabling them to get to a total in the excess of 300 without taking too many risks. 

The change of fortunes must have come a sigh of relief for the enigmatic South Africans as they finally managed to win an ODI after consecutive losses in the recent past. 

Only time will tell if they are able to extend their winning form in the tournament as they proceed to take on England and Australia in remaining league fixtures.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will have to lift their game considerably in future games in order to make an impact in the event. They have entered the competition with high hopes but their spinners will have to come good and batters will need to play to their potential if they are to repeat their heroics of earlier ICC tournaments.