Rickelton stars in South Africa win over Afghanistan

ICC Champions Trophy Group B, Karachi

South Africa 315-6 (50 overs): Rickelton 103 (106), Bavuma 58 (76), Nabi 2-51

Afghanistan 208 (43.3 overs): Rahmat 90 (92), Rabada 3-36, Mulder 2-36

South Africa won by 107 runs

With a comfortable 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, Ryan Rickelton recorded his first one-day international century.

After opting to bat first, the Proteas posted 315-6 with left-hander Rickelton making 103 from 106 balls at the top of the order and half-centuries for Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram.

It proved far too many for Afghanistan, who lost wickets at regular intervals and slumped to 208 all out in 43.3 overs.

Kagiso Rabada, a fast bowler for South Africa, had 3-36 totals, and Rahmat Shah, the only one to start 90 from 92 balls, was his real resistance.

As South Africa cruised to a convincing victory and advanced one step further than the semi-finals, Rickelton was the last man standing.

Rickelton’s innings were in full swing, and he kept his composure with him throughout.

Before Van der Dussen and Markram took over in the latter stages, with Afghanistan unable to put much real pressure on at any point, he and Bavuma combined for 129 for the second wicket.

The days are gone when big-hitters from traditional international cricket might view defeating Afghanistan as a formality.

But it never seemed like the outcome would be anything other than a Proteas win right away after South Africa won the toss.

Although the victory was not particularly flashy, Bavuma’s side’s casual efficiency will strengthen their case for a top spot in Pakistan.

The same calm and patience that are already recurring among the best sides in the competition were demonstrated by the bat during the middle overs.

South Africa’s lead over the eleventh and fortyth overs was 6.13, which is the highest over all the tournament’s participants have ever had, but the key was to rotate the strike rather than the boundaries.

They had a dot ball percentage of 37.4%, nearly 10% lower than New Zealand’s 47%, which is the next best in the competition.

In that regard, Rickelton was the one to put an unusual run out on him when Rashid Khan swooped in to collect the ball and threw the South African’s bat in the air as he dived back to end his excellent knock.

Before Van der Dussen and Markram upped the tempo with four of the top five passing 50, Bavuma joined him in the steady accumulation of runs.

Heinrich Klaasen, who was omitted as a precaution because of a left elbow issue, is still in place and has passed 300 comfortably.

Meanwhile, even without the express pace of the injured Anrich Nortje, the bowling unit is both varied and full of quality.

Rabada, who has the undisputed lead of the attack, really increased the pace with his 91.96mph delivery to bowl Ibrahim Zadran for the second-fastest wicket in the Champions Trophy since 2009.

Afghanistan quickly slipped behind in the bowling race because of its consistency, and the Proteas bowlers’ skill quickly prevented such advances in their tracks when they attempted to launch counter-attacks.

Player of the match, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton: “I was quite nervous coming into today – my first proper ICC event. I’m very pleased with how the team turned out to be a little edgy, but to set up a winning performance for them was a little bit edgy.

On Tuesday, South Africa travels to Rawalpindi to face Australia in their second group match.

England kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against former foes Australia on Saturday in Lahore.