South Africa have posted a formidable 315/6 after opting to bat first. Ryan Rickelton stole the show with a stellar maiden century, while Temba Bavuma was all class with a fluent fifty. The duo stitched together a solid 129-run stand for the second wicket. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram chipped in with handy contributions to keep the scoreboard ticking. A strong effort with the bat, now over to the bowlers.

He’s been in total control, picking gaps like he’s got a cheat code and striking the ball sweetly. Gets to the milestone with a casual punch over long-off—no fuss, no frills, just pure class. This has been a power-packed knock, and he’s not done yet.

Azmatullah Omarzai strikes. A skiddy 136.1kph back-of-a-length delivery angling in from middle, and it stays a touch low. Marco Jansen swings big, aiming to send it straight down the ground, but in doing so, he leaves a gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and crashes into the leg stump. Gone for a golden duck.

Noor Ahmad fires it full and wide outside off, and David Miller reaches out to slice it past sweeper cover. Spots the chance for two and dashes back quickly, good running.

Rassie van der Dussen is taking the attack to Rashid KhanA. floated googly outside off, but van der Dussen picks it early, gets into position, and slog-sweeps it effortlessly over cow corner for a flat six.

Sheer timing and confidence! That shot brings up a well-earned fifty, and he raises his bat to acknowledge the applause. A classy knock under pressure.

Oh, this one will sting! Ryan Rickelton, batting beautifully on 103, falls in the most unfortunate manner. A flat delivery from Rashid Khan, Rickelton shimmies forward before adjusting to push it back to the bowler. Rashid, as sharp as ever, picks it up and fires it to Gurbaz in a flash.

Rickelton scrambles back, puts in a desperate dive, but—oh no—the bat is in the air just as the bails are whipped off! Absolute heartbreak for the Proteas opener, who was putting on a show. A brilliant knock cut short by a moment of misfortune. Rickelton departs, run out (Rashid Khan/Gurbaz) for a superb 103 off 106, laced with seven fours and a six.

Rickelton smashes it through midwicket for four! A short ball sits up nicely, and he pounces on it, hammering it to the boundary. He’s seeing it like a beach ball now.

Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton both unleash an attack on Afghanistan’s bowlers! Worked off the pads, and Noor misfields, an awkward dive at the edge of the ring, but he can’t get a hand on it. The ball trickles away to fine leg, adding to Afghanistan’s frustration.

Fifty up for Rickelton in just 48 balls! He’s looked in fine touch, timing his shots beautifully. Spots the short one early, swivels into position, and pulls it with authority to deep midwicket to bring up a well-earned half-century.

And the first wicket is here. Mohamad Nabi strikes with his very first ball, Zorzi mistiming one straight to mid-on. Gone for 11. Temba Bavuma walks in at three and gets off the mark with a quick single. Afghanistan celebrate a successful over.

South African openers Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi faced the Afghan bowlers and negated the early movement on offer. After opting to bat first, Proteas wanted a steady start and they got it from their openers Rickelton and De Zorzi.

South African openers are at the crease and are ready to face Afghan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi in Karachi. The mercury is rising in Karachi and it will be hard for the Afghan bowlers and fielders to field in this heat.

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

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton(w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

South Africa have won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in their ICC Champions Trophy match in Karachi.

The Afghanistan vs South Africa, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match will be telecast on the Star Sports 2 and Sports 18 1 TV channels in India. It will be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in India.

Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Ikram Alikhil, Naveed Zadran, Nangeyalia Kharote

South Africa Squad: Ryan Rickelton(w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Rassie van der Dussen