Ryan Rickelton turned the second South African man, after Gary Kirsten, to attain a century on debut in an ICC event as South Africa started its Champions Trophy marketing campaign with a convincing 107-run victory towards Afghanistan.
On the Nationwide Stadium on Friday, the younger Rickelton (103, 106b, 7×4, 1×6) justified his workforce’s determination to bat first with a mature innings. He saved the scoreboard ticking with singles and bounds to information South Africa to 315 for six – a goal that was removed from Afghanistan’s attain, regardless of Rahmat Shah’s 92-ball-90.
Even because the floor favoured the batters, South Africa misplaced Tony de Zorzi early after Afghanistan launched spinner Mohammed Nabi within the powerplay.
Nevertheless, with Rickelton and captain Temba Bavuma (58, 76b, 5×4) steadying issues, and including 129 runs for the second wicket, South Africa managed to negate Afghanistan’s spin ploy.
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Rickelton discovered boundaries commonly, despite the fact that Bavuma took his time to settle in earlier than discovering the momentum to make sure that he introduced up a combating fifty. As each the batters checked out ease, South Africa received previous 150 inside 28 overs, earlier than Nabi struck once more to take away the South African skipper.
Nonetheless, Rickelton stood agency to deliver up his maiden ODI century and appeared set to increase the rating earlier than he was run out by Rashid Khan. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen chipped in with fifties and Wiaan Mulder got here up with a fast cameo of 12-ball-6 to assist South Africa breach the 300-run mark with out breaking a sweat.
Pursuing a large whole, Afghanistan batters failed to point out resilience towards South Africa’s quick bowling line-up, led by Kagiso Rabada and Ngidi Lungi, and misplaced wickets at common intervals.
Regardless of a lot of Afghan followers cheering for the workforce, it misplaced 4 wickets for 50 runs earlier than Rahmat put up a lone combat. With no help from the opposite finish, barring a 13-ball-18 cameo by Rashid, Rahmat’s efforts went in useless as Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy debut turned out to be a forgettable one.