Afghanistan vs South Africa ICC Champions Trophy, 2025, Full Score Card

SIX! The last two balls, spoils the comeback Afghanistan were making. Shorter and on the body. This is pulled over the square leg fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Carved away! Fuller and outside off. This is drilled between point and and deep cover. Boundary results.

Just the one! Outside off. This ia driven past cover for one.

WIDE! Too wide! Outside off. Left alone.

Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through square leg for one.

Just brilliant! Fuller and outside off. This is jammed out to cover for one.

That's a fabulous slower one! Outside off. Shorter. Markram looks to pull but misses.

Just the one to end! Fuller and on off. This is hit down to long off for one. That's a fine over. A momentum shifting over. Can they keep South Africa to below 310?

Just the 2 now. Can he end the over well now? Outside off. This is shorter and outside off. This is chopped on the off side for one.

Brilliant! A fuller ball. It tails back in late. Mulder jams it out. What an over so far. Just one from the first 4 balls.

Dots are absolute gold! Outside off. Shortish. This stays low. Mulder looks to cut but misses.

Wiaan Mulder is the new man in.

OUT! TIMBER! The leg stump goes for a walk! Angled into leg stump. Jansen looks to hit it over mid on but misses and the leg stump goes for a walk.

Shorter and angled into the body. Markram looks to cut but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Marco Jansen comes in.

OUT! TAKEN! That's a fine catch. That's a brilliant grab! This could make a difference of 15 to 20 runs to the final score. Miller though just couldn't get going in this game. However, this could lift the morale of the bowling side. Outside off. Miller creams it towards deep cover. The fielder runs to his right and dives to take it. Brilliant.

Dot! Miller just hasn't got going! Fuller and on off. A yorker. This is jammed back to the bowler.

Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket. A single taken.

FOUR! Even better! This is a master class from Markram. Fuller and on off. Markram thumbs is down the ground and this goes to the long off fence. Three in a row. Fazalhaq Farooqi under massive pressure here.

FOUR! Make that two in a row! Outside off. Yet again in the slot. Fuller. It is lofted over cover and this goes to the fence.

FOUR! That's the length Markram likes! Outside off. This is hit over cover and this goes to the fence. This could be a huge over. A boundary on the very first ball.

Outside off. Miller chops it to cover.

Just short there! A full toss on the pads. Markram sweeps. It goes to deep square leg. Lands just short of the fielder there.

SIX! Gets hold of this one. Absolutely nails it. On middle. Fuller. This is lofted over the long on fence for another biggie.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Fuller and outside off. This is hit over cover and it goes to the fence.

On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.

Flatter and on middle. This is pushed back to the bowler. This is frustrating Miller now.

He does! Just the 8 from it! That's good at this stage of the game. On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

Just the one! Outside off. This is guided past point for one. Been a decent over so far. Can he end it well? Just the 7 from it.

FOUR! That's a fine shot! Fuller and on off. Markram makes room and lofts it over cover. This one gets to the fence. Really picked his spot well and will this get him going?

Miller is happy taking the singles! On the stumps. This is worked through square leg for one.

Another dot! Fuller and on off. This is driven back to the bowler.

Just the one! Outside off. Fuller. This is hit through covers for one.

Two to end! Very full and outside off, Miller crunches it through covers for a couple.

Floats it up, outside off, Miller mistimes his push back to Ahmad.

Tossed up full and on leg, Miller leans to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. Tailing down.

Wide! Spills it down the leg side, Miller fails to flick.

Bowls it on the pads, Miller flicks it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Quicker full and on middle, Miller defends well.

Off the edge! Flights it very full on off, spins away. Markram gets a thick edge as he swings across, it rolls to short third man for one.

Good length ball on off, Miller punches it straight to cover.

Shorter and on off, Markram pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Outside off, Miller guides it through point for a single.

FOUR! Threads it through! Sort in length and outside off, Miller powers his pull shot through mid-wicket and it dissects the fielder perfectly.

A slower length ball on middle, Markram turns it to long on for one.

Serves it full and on middle, Miller flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Flighted outside off, Markram strokes it through covers for a couple of runs.

Too full and on the pads. Miller flicks it to square leg for a single.

OUT! GONE! A huge roar from the crowd as Noor Ahmad strikes. Fifty and out. Perfectly bowled! Serves it full and around off, spins away. Rassie van der Dussen looks to heave but balloons it to backward point where Hashmatullah Shahidi takes a dolly.

The googly outside off, Rassie van der Dussen pushes it to cover.

Slightly short and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen pulls it to deep square leg for a couple.

Full and outside off, Markram drives it to long off for a single.

Not the best of spells from Khan but still on the economical side! On middle, Rassie van der Dussen blocks.

Outside off, Rassie van der Dussen punches it to point.

SIX! He nailed that shot! These two have played together recently so Rassie van der Dussen knows a bit or too! Fifty up as well! Full and on off, Rassie van der Dussen slog-sweeps it over mid-wicket for a six. South Africa eyeing 350 now.

Flatter and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen cuts it to cover.

Too full and outside off, Markram drives it to long off for a single.

Full and outside off, Markram punches it to Khan. Good stop.

Quicker and cramps Rassie van der Dussen for room. This is blocked out.

Good shout for LBW but pitching down leg, Flat and on middle and leg. Rassie van der Dussen fails to flick.

Flat and around off, Rassie van der Dussen blocks.

Fuller and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen smashes it to covers, it bounces in front of the fielder and rolls away. Two.

FOUR! Runs flowing! Poor delivery! Well down leg, Rassie van der Dussen sweeps it to fine leg for a boundary.

Outside off. This is slapped down to long off. Two taken.

Flatter and outside off. This is punched past cover for one.

SIX! He absolutely nails this one! On middle. The slog sweep is out. It sails over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Flatter and on middle. Kept out.

On the stumps. Kept out.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

FOUR! Cut away! Yet again the pressure is released. A lovely cut shot. Outside off. This is cut past point and this gets to the fence.

Flatter and on off. Rassie cuts but to point. End of a very fine over by Noor. That will give him some confidence.

Very close! Fuller and on off. Rassie looks to sweep but misses. Goes just past the off pole. He would have loved a wicket there.

Quicker and on off. A little bit of turn into the batter. This is pushed to cover.

Outside off. This is guided past point for one.

Another short ball. Markram cuts it hard but straight to cover.

Flatter and outside off. Rassie looks to cut. It goes more off the top edge towards point for one.

Three taken! On middle. Rassie works it nicely wide of long on. The fielder gives it a chase and keeps it down to three. Saves a run for his side.

Fuller and on off. This is hit down to long off for one.

Two this time! Outside off. Flatter. This is guided past point for two.

That stays low! Outside off. Markram looks to cut but misses.

Tossed up on off. This is swept through square leg. A single taken.

Flatter and on off. This is guided to point for one.

Dot to end a fine spell by Nabi! He's really been the stand out! On middle. This is worked to mid on.

Two! Outside off. This is slapped past cover for two.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed to mid off. A single despite the misfield.

On middle. Markram works it to mid on.

Flatter and on middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.

Three! Had he held onto the throw, it would have been close! On middle. The paddle scoop comes out. It is played fine on the leg side. They take two and go for three. The throw is to the keeper's end but it is not collected.

He ends it well too! On middle. Kept out.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover. That's a fine over form Rashid.

Shorter and on middle. Markram looks to pull but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Yet another extra! Down the leg side. Wided.

Aiden Markram walks to the middle.

OUT! The bat is in the air! How unfortunate! How brilliant though from Rashid! Brilliant. His side needed some magic and he has provided it. On middle. Shortish as he sees Ryan come down the track. This is pushed back to the bowler who fields it and fires it onto the stumps at the other end. Gurbaz takes the bails off after collecting it. It is taken upstairs. Replays show the bat bounced just outside the crease as he looked to slide in and didn't come down in time. He falls shortly after getting to his ton. Can this be the breakthrough which gets the Afghans back in the game? A fine knock from Ryan comes to an end.

Almost! On off. This turns back in. Rassie looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls to short fine leg for one.

Around off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

On middle, this is punched to long on for a single.

The slower one from Nabi which comes with the arm on middle and stays low. Rickelton swings across and edges it back on the deck. Not far away from the stumps.

Wide! Bowls it full and over the tramline. Rickelton makes room and leaves it.

Working in V! Gets another single as Rassie van der Dussen plays it to long on.

Wide! Spills it well down the leg side, this is left alone.

Bowls it full and on middle, Rickelton punches it to long on and rotates the strike.

Fuller delivery on middle, this is knocked to mid on for one more.

CENTURY for Rickelton! A maiden ODI hundred! What a moment for him. Tossed up on middle, Rickelton eases it to long off for a single. Rickelton could change the gears now.

Bowls the googly on middle, fuller length. Rassie van der Dussen solidly blocks.

Tossed up on off, Rickelton pushes it to long off and moves to 99.

On middle, this is flicked to long on for one more run.

The fielding has been below par so far! Full and on middle, Rickelton plays it to Khan who let's it roll through his hands for one.

Bowls it slightly short and on off, this is pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.

BEATEN! The skiddy length delivery, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen looks to defend but is well beaten.

Serves it full and on leg, this is clipped to square leg for a single.

Tossed up on middle, Rickelton punches it to long off for a single.

Too full and on middle, this is drilled to long on for one.

Comes with an angle once again, on middle, Rickelton plays it to cover for one. On 95.

An in-drifter full and on middle, Rickelton tucks it to mid on.

Bowls it too full and on off, Rickelton pushes it to cover.

Too full and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen looks to drive but jams it out back to Ahmad.

Flights it up, well outside off, Rickelton plays it to long off for one.

Flat and around off, this is knocked to sweeper cover for a single.

Shorter and outside off, Rickelton plays it aerially through point for one.

Too full and well wide of off. Rickelton drives it to cover. Rashid Khan half-stops for a couple of runs.

Wide! Gives a lot of flight but well outside off, left alone.

Down the leg side once again, Rickelton sweeps it to short fine leg.

Wide! Noor dishes it down the leg side, Rickelton misses to clip.

Tossed up full and on middle, this is solidly blocked.

Angles it flat and on middle, Rickelton punches it to long on for one.

On the pads, this is nudged to square leg for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Too full and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen smashes it down to long on. Khan dives to his left, slides but fails to stop.

Flighted on off, Rickelton pushes it to long off for a single.

Tossed up on middle, Rickelton turns it to mid-wicket.

Flatter and outside off, Rassie looks to cut but misses.

Gets away with one! Flatter and outside off. Rassie guts but misses.

FOUR! This is a poor over so far! Flatter and outside off. This is guided past point and it races away to the fence.

Better! Flatter and on off. Blocked.

Down the leg side again. Wided again.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

FIVE WIDES! That's bonus! Not what Afghanistan wanted after a wicket. Down the leg side. Ryan looks to sweep but misses. No chance for the keeper and this races away.

This stays low! Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

On middle. This is worked down to long on. Rassie is underway.

Rassie van der Dussen walks in next.

OUT! TAKEN! No review can save him this time. Nabi does it yet again for his side and he's delighted. He survived a review on the last ball but now falls. That's a soft dismissal. Shorter and on middle. This holds in the surface a touch. Bavuma looks to pull. This goes off the top edge and deep mid-wicket takes an easy catch. Afghanistan will hope this opens the floodgates. A good knock from the skipper. He will hope his team can take it ahead from here.

A loud appeal and the finger is raised! Bavuma reviews but that seems gone if no bat! NOT OUT! Can't believe that's missing the leg pole. Nobody out there can believe it. On leg. Bavuma looks to play the paddle scoop but misses and is hit on the pad. Just nothing going Afghanistan's way.

Angled into the pads. Bavuma clips it to mid-wicket.

On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

Mohammad Nabi is back on.

Dot to end but another massive over! On off. Length. Kept out.

FOUR! Pulled away! On the shorter side again. This is pulled again past square leg. No chance of stopping that one.

Fuller and on off. This is driven hard but to cover.

Around off. Defended.

Outside off. This is guided down to third man for one.

FOUR! Hammered! Slightly shorter and on middle. This is pulled hard and over the mid-wicket fielder. Boundary. Picks the length early.

Fuller and on middle. This is worked down to long on for one.

On middle. Kept out.

On off. This is pushed down to long on for one.

Three! Lovely timing! Fuller and outside off. This is slammed wide of long off. The fielder runs to his right and dives. Three taken.

On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

On middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

Around off. This is driven past cover for one.

Ryan makes room. It is a slower one around off. It is chopped to cover.

On middle. This is dragged wide of mid on. The fielder runs to his left, dives and stops it.

Around off. Length. This is guided to point.

Half a chance! Shorter and down leg, Rickelton looks to pull but gloves it to the keeper who fails to collect and it lobs off his mitts to third man. Two runs.

That's fifty by the skipper! He continues to have a fine recent form! South Africa need more from him! Around off, full, this is pushed to long off for a single.

A beauty from Ahmad and Bavuma is beaten! Afghanistan appeal for caught behind and do take it upstairs. Bowls a flatter delivery, outside off and spins away. Bavuma presses across to defend but seems to miss. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was excited! UltraEdge shows a flat line. Afghanistan lose the review.

Ahmad keeps it full and bowls it on middle, blocked back to the bowler.

Very full and outside off, Rickelton jams it out to long off for one.

Ahmad starts with a fuller delivery on middle, Bavuma drills it to long on for one.

Tad short and on off, Bavuma plays it to long on for one more.

Angling on middle, Rickelton drills it to long on for a single.

Outside off, Bavuma strokes it to cover for a single.

Good length ball, outside off, Rickelton hits it through covers for a single. 100 runs together they have added.

Length and on off, Bavuma chops it across third man for a single.

FOUR! HIT AWAY! In the slot, full and on middle, Bavuma plays it straight down the ground to long on for a boundary. Super stuff from South Africa so far.

Bowls it short and outside off, Rickelton cuts it through covers for a couple. Rashid Khan not able to make an impact still.

Tossed up on off, Bavuma gets a leading edge to his punch down to long off for one.

Bowls the googly on the leg side, Rickelton skips down and across as he plays it to long off for one.

On middle, Bavuma drills it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Bavuma takes on Rashid! Floated full and on middle, slows it up but Khan slog-sweeps it well over mid-wicket for four runs.

Flighted on middle, Bavuma nudges it to mid-wicket.

Length and on top of off, Bavuma plays it to cover for a single.

Angles it full and on middle, Bavuma tucks it to square leg.

Good length ball on middle, Bavuma punches it to mid on.

Outside off, Rickelton guides it to point for a single.

Touch fuller and outside off, Rickelton looks to push but misses and it dies to the keeper.

Length ball, outside off, Bavuma knocks it to cover for a single.

Flat and outside off, Rickelton punches it to cover.

FOUR! Flick of the wrists! Tossed up on middle and leg, Rickelton flicks it behind square leg. Noor Ahmad dives to his right but fails to stop cleanly. It races away.

That's how you come back. Beauty! Flighted full and around off, spins away. Rickelton leans to defend but is beaten on the outside edge.

Khan bowls it full and on middle, Rickelton eases it to Khan. What has happened here? As Khan tries to pick up with his left hand, he gets hit near the wrists. Luckily, it's not his bowling arm but he looks in serious pain. The physio is out.

Flatter and outside off, Rickelton strokes it down to long off where Nabi dives to his left and stops.

Fuller and on off, Rickelton punches it to point.

Two! Outside off. This is guided past point. A slight fumble will see them get two.

Fuller and on middle. This is driven down the ground. The fielder at long on, runs to his right, slides and makes a half stop. Three taken.

On middle. Defended.

Outside off. This is guided down to third man for one.

On middle. Fuller. This is driven to mid on.

Good length and on off. Blocked again.

On middle. This is worked down to long on for one.

Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.

On the stumps. Blocked.

Around off. Flatter. Kept out.

Around off. This is guided to point.

On middle. This worked down to long on for one.

On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

Dot to end! A tidy over there! On middle. Bavuma keeps it out.

Angled into middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

Fuller and on middle. This is driven down the ground to the right of long on. Two.

On middle. Kept out.

Length and on off. Defended.

Outside off. This is guided to point. A slight misfield ans a run.

On middle. This is worked with the angle down to long on.

Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for one.

Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

On middle. This worked through square leg for one.

Slower and around off. This is guided down to third man for two.

Around off. This is pushed to cover.

On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.

Two! On middle. Bavuma looks to slog sweep. This goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for two.

Almost! Steps out but does not get to the pitch of it. He looks to work it on the leg side but this goes off the outer half through cover for one.

Gets away with one! Shorter and down the leg side. Ryan pulls but to short fine leg.

FIFTY for Rickelton! Good start to the tournament from him! This has laid the foundation for the Proteas. Shorter and on middle, Rickelton pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

Good length ball on middle, Rickelton gets behind the line and defends.

FOUR! Azmatullah Omarzai is not having a good day so far. Bowls it full and on the pads. Rickelton whips down to fine leg for four. On 49.

Short of a length and on middle, Rickelton goes back to pull but misses and gets hit on the body.

FOUR! These two have added 50 runs now! Maybe spin from both sides is needed! Very full and angled away, outside off, this is smashed past cover for four.

Length and outside off, Rickelton knocks it to cover.

Flatter and around off, Bavuma goes back and punches it to Khan. Not the best of starts from Khan.

Bowls the googly, full and on middle, Bavuma leans to defend it.

Slightly short and outside off, Bavuma punches it through covers and comes back for second.

Darted on the pads. Rickelton flicks it to long on for a single.

Goes very full and outside off, Bavuma creams it past cover for one.

Bowls it full and outside off, Bavuma softly punches it to point.

Change!

Bowls it short and on off, Rickelton pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The man from square leg runs across and cuts it off. Two.

Good comeback from Azmatullah Omarzai as he bowls it on middle and cramps Bavuma for room, this is worked to mid on for one.

FOUR!  Solid shot! Lands perfectly for Bavuma as Azmatullah Omarzai bowls it short, this is on middle, it is pulled to square leg for a boundary.

On a length and outside off, Rickelton plays it to cover for a single.

Short in length and outside off, Bavuma punches it through point for a single.

Touch fuller and around off, Bavuma prods and defends it out.

A single to end the over as Bavuma drops it to cover.

Angling on middle, Rickelton nudges it to mid-wicket for one more.

CHANCE! It falls in between the two fielders! Floated full and around off, skids on. Rickelton looks to slog-sweep but miscues it to deep cover. The fielder runs in from there and from long off as well. It meets the ground first.

Flat and on middle, Bavuma goes back and turns it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up on middle, Bavuma paddles it fine over the keeper to the fine leg fence.

Angles it full and on middle, Rickelton drills it to long on for a single.

A good length ball on middle, Bavuma solidly defends it.

Azmatullah Omarzai bangs it short and around off, Bavuma sits under it.

This is full and on middle, Bavuma flicks it with great timing past square leg for a couple.

WELL SHORT! Slightly short and on middle, gets big on Rickelton who top edges his pull to fine leg for a single.

Good length ball, outside off, Bavuma dabs it to third man for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai serves it full and on off, Rickelton knocks it to cover for a single.

Shorter and on the body. This is pulled to short fine leg.

Sees the batter step out and fires it on off. Defended again.

Slower and outside off. This is guided to point.

On middle. This is worked to mid on for one.

Clever bowling! Sees the batter shape up for the reverse sweep and fires it outside off. Ryan misses.

Tossed up on off. This is driven but to cover.

Around off. Length. Kept out.

Length and on off. Kept out.

Outside off. This is guided down to third man for one.

SIX! All the way! That's a glorious shot! Steps out. It is a slower one but fuller. Ryan lifts it beautifully and over the long on fence for a biggie.

Angled into the pads. This is worked down to fine leg.

Angled into the pads. This is flicked to square leg.

A dot to end! Fuller and on middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

Around off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

Angles it into the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.

The reverse sweep comes out. It is more off the glove. It goes down to third man for two.

On middle. This is worked down to long on for one.

Fuller and on off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

Good length and on off. Bavuma defends.

Around off. Defended. He bowls this from around the wicket.

Angled into the pads. This is tucked on the leg side for one.

Another dot! Length and on off. This is pushed to cover.

Shorter and outside off. This is chopped to point.

Back of a length and on off. Ryan pushes it to cover.

Around off. Blocked.

Slower and lands it on off. Defended.

Flatter and on middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle. This comes in with the angle. Ryan looks to defend but this goes off the inner half to mid-wicket for one more.

On middle. This is nudged to square leg for one. Bavuma is off the mark.

Temba Bavuma is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Nabi does not take long to strike! On his first ball. A soft dismissal. Tony de Zorzi can't believe it. It is shortish and on middle. Tony goes back and mistimes his aerial attempt on the leg side. The ball flies uppishly and straight to mid on where Azmatullah Omarzai takes an easy catch. Welcome wicket for the bowling side as the runs just started to flow.

Four dots to end but 8 runs off it. Tad fuller and on middle, Rickelton pushes it to mid on.

Too full and angling on middle and leg, Rickelton flicks but finds mid-wicket.

On a length and around off, Rickelton knocks it to mid off.

Shapes it on the pads. Rickelton turns it to square leg.

FOUR! Make it 20 runs of the last six. Bowls the hard length delivery but gives width outside off. Rickelton strokes it through extra cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Runs have started to flow! 16 runs of last five balls. Dream delivery for a left hander. Short in length and outside off, Rickelton pulls it over mid-wicket for four.

THREE! Misfield and three! Angles it full and on middle, Rickelton flicks it to mid-wicket who dives over the ball and it rolls through for three runs.

Pitches it up on off, Tony de Zorzi pushes it to the right of mid off for a single.

FOUR! Evades the infield! Azmatullah Omarzai keeps it full and bowls it outside off, Tony de Zorzi leans and crunches it aerially over point for a boundary.

FOUR! Flicked away! First boundary for Tony! Azmatullah Omarzai serves it full and on middle, Tony de Zorzi whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Five dots now! Touch fuller and around off, Tony de Zorzi waits and softly punches it to mid off.

Tony de Zorzi steps across and defends this length ball on the off side.

Three dots to end! This is full and around off, Rickelton defends it out.

A good length ball, outside off, Rickelton bends back and cuts it to point.

Very full and on middle, angles it in. Rickelton blocks it out.

Pitched up, outside off, Rickelton drives it through covers for a couple of runs.

Good length ball, around off, Rickelton presses forward and blocks.

Very full and on middle, shaping in. Tony de Zorzi plays it with the angle to mid-wicket for one.

Was there an edge? Did it carry? A good length ball, outside off, swings away sharply. Rickelton has a poke at it but misses and Rahmanullah Gurbaz dives to his left to grab it. No bat on it.

This is full and on middle, Rickelton nudges it to mid-wicket.

Tony de Zorzi is off the mark! Shapes away a length ball, outside off, Tony de Zorzi hangs back and drops it to cover for one.

Good length ball on middle, hint of shape. Tony de Zorzi nudges it to mid-wicket.

Bit of extra bounce, on a length and around off, Tony de Zorzi defends with the splice of the bat to point.

Azmatullah Omarzai serves it too full an on middle, Tony de Zorzi solidly defends it out.

Azmatullah Omarzai to bowl from the other end.

Good end from Fazalhaq Farooqi! Brings the outswinger, very full and around off, Rickelton jams it out in time.

Fuller delivery on middle, Rickelton drills it down to mid on.

Better from Fazalhaq Farooqi! Good length ball, around off, Rickelton blocks it to cover.

FOUR! South Africa are underway! Fazalhaq Farooqi pitches it up as he looks for some swing, this is around off, Rickelton punches it past mid off and it races to the fence.

Right on the money! Goes for the yorker right at the base of the middle pole. Rickelton digs it out on the deck.

Fazalhaq Farooqi looks for some swing and dishes out a low full toss on middle, Ryan Rickelton nudges it to mid on.

Done with the anthems and we are moments from the first ball being bowled! Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi are the openers.

All set for the action to begin! The players make their way out to the middle for the national anthems first.

So, a big surprise coming from the South Africa XI is there is no Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs and also Tabraiz Shamsi. It has to do something with injuries, especially to Heinrich Klaasen who could be a big loss in this match. As per reports, Heinrich Klaasen has been left out as a precautionary measure. He suffered some discomfort in his left elbow.

Hashmatullah Shahidi says they would have batted first as well however, he says the toss is not in their hand but they will try and play good cricket. Shares their spinners could be key in this conditions. Admits he will be happy if they start well and carry on the momentum in the middle and final phase.

Temba Bavuma says they want to bat first. Adds the wicket looks a little different and not sure how good it will play. Mentions runs on the board will be key. Adds they are going in with one spinner and they’ll be relying on their pacers.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

TOSS - South Africa have won the toss and will BAT first!

South Africa are heavy favourites heading into this encounter as they have a lot more experience and have been in decent form in recent times. However, Afghanistan are known to punch above their weight in big tournaments and one can't take them lightly. They are a team full of match winners. The conditions here will also suit them so we expect a good contest. Toss and teams in a bit. 

It is time for the third game of this tournament and this is a clash between the sides which met in the semi finals of the last T20I World Cup. It is South Africa taking on Afghanistan. That contest mentioned above was quite a one sided affair where South Africa came out as winners. We hope we have a far better contest here. 

... MATCH DAY ...

The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the premier international competitions in the world of cricket and with the competition taking place after a long wait of 8 years, there's plenty of buzz around the tournament, rightly so too as the best 8 teams of men's cricket go head-to-head in a battle for glory. With the tournament having kicked off in style, it is time for the first clash in Group B as Afghanistan takes on South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi. Two teams that have punched above their weight in recent ICC tournaments and have taken everyone by surprise but South Africa does have a rich cricketing history and even after making a fair few finals and semi-finals, they continue to falter at the final hurdle. Afghanistan on the other hand nearly reached the semifinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup and then they did reach the semis of the 2024 T20 World Cup and there's no saying that they won't repeat those performances. The Proteas generally have had the better of the Afghans in this format but their last bilateral series about half a year ago ended in a 2-1 win for Afghanistan and those were comfortable wins as well. All of this makes for a riveting encounter with no guaranteed winner. Talking a bit more about the teams, both sides have their strongest Playing XI available which is a big positive but we might see a couple of fringe players come into the side and step up. Afghanistan continue to be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi and they will have the experience of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan to bolster the side. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will be crucial though for them as we have seen in the past when these two perform, Afghanistan's chances of winning increase considerably. Fazalhaq Farooqi will lead the bowling attack but there is no more Naveen ul Haq as he doesn't play ODIs anywhere which makes their spin attack the one to look out for if they are to go deep in the competition. South Africa on the other hand has plenty of options to choose from, especially in the batting lineup with Ryan Rickelton starting to perform consistently. Their biggest strength will certainly be their middle order which features the trio of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs all of whom can single-handedly take the game away from the opposition. The bowling lineup features the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen along with others but the focus will be on these two to give the Proteas the start with the new ball. Corbin Bosch has also shown great promise in recent times and his pace could be a real weapon and we might see only one of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi get a spot in the Playing XI. All in all, it could end up being a battle between the Afghan spinners and that Proteas middle-order but it should be a cracking contest. Who do you reckon will get the win?