Ryan Rickelton scored a hundred against Afghanistan in his first match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Playing in place of Heinrich Klaasen, he amassed 103 runs off 106 balls, with the help of 7 fours and 1 six. The Proteas posted 315/6 runs in 50 overs, with Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram (50) scoring fifties.

For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi took two wickets, while Rashid Khan went wicketless. Afghanistan are making their debut in the eight-team tournament.

South Africa and Afghanistan will also play England and Australia in the other matches in Group B.

Meanwhile, South Africa captain Temba won the toss and elected to bat first at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi dismissed political calls to boycott Afghanistan’s cricket games in the Champions Trophy after politicians in England and South Africa urged their cricket authorities to forfeit the group games against Afghanistan because of the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports and erosion of women’s rights.

South Africa, which won the first edition of the Champions Trophy in 1998 when it was known as ICC Knockout, is at its full strength.

It has lost the last six successive ODIs largely due to giving chances to its potential Champions Trophy contenders.

Pakistan is hosting its first major ICC tournament in 29 years since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand and India won their opening group A games against Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively.

Lineups:

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Tony De Zorzi, Temba Bavuma, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Aiden Malder, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Mahaj, Lungi, Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Mahaj, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Mahaj, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Mahaj, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Mahaj, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Mahaj, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Lungi, Mahaj, Lungi, Lungi, Mahaj, Mahaj, Lungi, Mahaj, Lungi, Lungi, Mahaj, Maharaj Kagiso.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Prophet, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.