Match Summary 

Afghanistan - 208(43.3)

South Africa win by 107 runs

1.Rahmanullah Gurbaz - 10(14)[1×4]

2.Ibrahim Zadran - 17(29)[1×4,1×6]

3.Sediqullah Atal - 16(32)[2×4][Runout by (Marco Jansen)]

4.Rahmat Shah - 90(92)[9×4,1×6]

5.Hashmatullah Shahidi - 0(4)

6.Azmatullah Omarzai - 18(27)[3×4]

7.Mohammad Nabi - 8(17)

8.Gulbadin Naib - 13(19)[2×4]

9.Rashid Khan - 18(13)[3×4,1×6]

10.Noor Ahmad - 9(15)[1×4]

11.Fazalhaq Farooqi - 0*(0)

Fours: 22 Sixes : 3

Extras:- B-2,Wd-6,Nb-1

Marco Jansen-8-1-32-1

Lungi Ngidi-8-0-56-2

Kagiso Rabada-8.3-1-36-3

Wiaan Mulder-9-0-36-2

Keshav Maharaj-10-0-46-1

Wkt of Marco Jansen

1.Mohammad Nabi[Caught by Kagiso Rabada]

Wkts of Lungi Ngidi

1.Rahmanullah Gurbaz[Caught by Keshav Maharaj]

2.Gulbadin Naib[Caught by Temba Bavuma]

Wkts of Kagiso Rabada 

1.Ibrahim Zadran[Bowled]

2.Azmatullah Omarzai[Caught by Ryan Rickelton]

3.Rahmat Shah[Caught by Ryan Rickelton]

Wkts of Wiaan Mulder 

1.Hashmatullah Shahidi[Caught by Temba Bavuma]

2.Noor Ahmad[Bowled]

Wkt of Keshav Maharaj

1.Rashid Khan[Caught by Aiden Markram]

Fall of Wkts

Rahmanullah Gurbaz-16/1(3.2)

Ibrahim Zadran-38/2(9.4)

Sediqullah Atal-50/3(14)

Hashmatullah Shahidi-50/4(14.4)

Azmatullah Omarzai-89/5(23)

Mohammad Nabi-120/6(29)

Gulbadin Naib-142/7(34.2)

Rashid Khan-169/8(37.3)

Noor Ahmad-208/9(43)

Rahmat Shah-208(43.3)

Player of the Match: Ryan Rickelton

A Wrap on Game 3 – Eyes on the Weekend Blockbuster

That concludes the action from Game 3 of the Champions Trophy. A dominant display from South Africa, but Afghanistan showed resilience through Rahmat Shah’s knock. Now, all eyes turn to the weekend, where England and Australia lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. A high-voltage clash awaits tomorrow—see you then!

Afghanistan batters dismissed in 90s in ODIs

98 - Ibrahim Zadran vs Sri Lanka, Hambantota, 2023

96 - Samiullah Shinwari vs Scotland, Dunedin, CWC 2015

94 - Shabir Noori vs Canada, King City, 2011

94 - Rahmat Shah vs Zimbabwe, Harare, 2022

92 - Mohammad Nabi vs Scotland, Bulawayo, 2018

90 - Rahmat Shah vs South Africa, Karachi, 2025

SA quicks today (by lengths)

Full: 1/25 (14 balls) - ER: 6.25 - 7.3%

Good: 2/27 (72 balls) - ER: 2.25 - 37.5%

Short: 5/101 (106 balls) - ER: 5.71 - 55.2%

Afghanistan in ODI run-chases since 2022

Chasing sub-250 targets: Won 9 out of 10

Chasing 250-plus targets: Won 2 out of 12

Defeats by 100-plus runs for AFG in ICC ODI tournaments

By 275 runs vs AUS, Perth (WACA), CWC 2015

By 150 runs vs ENG, Old Trafford, CWC 2019

By 149 runs vs NZ, Chennai, CWC 2023

By 107 runs vs SA, Karachi, CT 2025

By 105 runs vs BAN, Canberra, CWC 2015

Rahmat Shah’s Resilient 90 in Vain as South Africa Secures a Dominant Win 

Rahmat Shah fought hard with a well-constructed 90 off 92 balls, but his hopes of a century were dashed by a brilliant yorker from Rabada. A faint edge carried through to the keeper, sealing Afghanistan’s fate as South Africa wrapped up a convincing 107-run victory. Despite Rahmat’s valiant effort, the Proteas' disciplined bowling attack proved too strong, handing them a strong start in their Champions Trophy campaign.

Score after 43 overs

Afghanistan: 208/9

Rahmat Shah’s Fighting Fifty Not Enough as South Africa Strikes Again

Rahmat Shah brought up his 31st ODI fifty with a well-timed shot through mid-wicket, showing composure under pressure. However, Afghanistan’s momentum took another hit as Gulbadin Naib miscued a short delivery from Ngidi, lobbing a catch to Bavuma at mid-off. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Afghanistan finds itself in a tricky situation, needing a solid partnership to keep their chase alive against a disciplined South African bowling attack.

Rahmat Shah Steadies Afghanistan with a Fighting Fifty

A crucial knock from Rahmat Shah as he brings up his 31st ODI fifty with a well-placed shot through mid-wicket. Staying deep in his crease, he timed it well to pick up a couple of runs. With Afghanistan struggling, Rahmat’s composed innings is key to keeping their hopes alive. The Proteas remain in control, but this partnership could still challenge them if it builds further.

South Africa Tightens Grip as Nabi Falls 

Another breakthrough for South Africa as Mohammad Nabi departs for 8 (17), caught by Rabada off Marco Jansen’s short delivery. The pressure was building, and Nabi miscued his pull shot, handing an easy catch to mid-wicket. Afghanistan is now in deeper trouble, struggling to break free from South Africa’s tight bowling stranglehold. The Proteas are inching closer to sealing the game.

Score after 25 overs

Afghanistan: 99/5

Score after 20 overs

Afghanistan: 77/4

Score after 17 overs

Afghanistan: 70/4

Afghanistan in Trouble!

Team Afghanistan looks in deep trouble as they have lost 4 wickets for 50 runs 

Score after 14 overs 

Afghanistan: 50/3

Score after 10 overs 

Afghanistan: 38/2

Afghanistan in need of acceleration! 

After 9 overs: AFG 31/1 🔹 Ibrahim Zadran 11(25), Sediqullah Atal 7(15). Runs coming in slow—can they pick up the pace? 

Afghanistan struggling to find momentum! 

After 8 overs: AFG 30/1
Sediqullah Atal 7(15), Ibrahim Zadran 10(19). They need to shift gears soon! 

Steady start for Afghanistan!

After 6 overs: AFG 28/1
Ibrahim Zadran 9(14), Sediqullah Atal 7(8). Can they accelerate from here? 

The God of Cricket is back! 

Sachin Tendulkar returns to the field tomorrow in IMLT20 for India Masters! 🏏✨ Brace yourselves for nostalgia, class, and cricketing magic! 

Afghanistan Recovering After Early Setback

After 5 overs, Afghanistan stands at 23/1, with Sediqullah Atal on 6 (7) and Ibrahim Zadran on 5 (9). Sediqullah has shown some intent, adding quick runs after Gurbaz’s early dismissal. South African bowlers remain disciplined, keeping a tight line and length. Afghanistan will now look to build a steady partnership and gain momentum in the chase.

Steady Start but Early Blow for Afghanistan

After 4 overs, Afghanistan is at 17/1, with Ibrahim Zadran on 5 (9) and Sediqullah Atal on 1 (1). The early wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz has put them on the back foot, but they will look to rebuild. South Africa's bowlers have been disciplined, keeping the scoring in check while applying pressure. A crucial phase ahead as Afghanistan aims to stabilize their innings.

Ngidi Strikes Early – Gurbaz Departs

Lungi Ngidi provides South Africa with a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 10. Ngidi delivered a well-directed short ball, cramping Gurbaz for room as he attempted a pull shot. The ball took the top edge and lobbed towards short fine leg, where Keshav Maharaj sprinted forward and completed a diving catch just before the ball could drop.

This is a major setback for Afghanistan, as Gurbaz has been a key player in providing aggressive starts in big run chases. South Africa will look to capitalize on this early wicket and put further pressure on the Afghan batting lineup.

STAT:19 overs of wrist-spin today. The only other instance of more than 10 overs of wrist-spin in an innings in the Champions Trophy came in the very first game of the competition’s history back in 1998 in Dhaka: Paul Strang and Murray Goodwin (Zimbabwe) bowled 14 overs between them against New Zealand.

300-plus totals for SA in Champions Trophy
316/5 vs KEN, Colombo RPS, 2002
315/6 vs AFG, Karachi, 2025
305 vs IND, Cardiff, 2013
301/9 vs ENG, Centurion, 2009

Four (or more) 50-plus scores in an innings in CT
4 - IND vs PAK, Edgbatson, 2017
4 - SA vs AFG, Karachi, 2025

Fastest 50s for SA in Champions Trophy (by balls faced)
33 - Aiden Markram vs AFG, Karachi, 2025
40 - Graeme Smith vs SL, Centurion, 2009
40 - Ryan McLaren vs IND, Cardiff, 2013

Innings Break 

South Africa: 315/6

Score after 48 overs

South Africa: 298/5

Score after 47 overs

South Africa: 285/4

Score after 45 overs

South Africa: 265/4

Fifty for van der Dussen! 

Score after 37 overs

South Africa: 208/3

Centurions for SA in Champions Trophy

3 - Herschelle Gibbs

1 - Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Ryan Rickelton

Rickelton brings up his century!

Fifty for Bavuma!

Temba Bavuma brings up his 6th ODI half century 

Score after 20 overs

South Africa: 104/1

Afghanistan seamers so far (10 overs)

At stumps: 14 off 22 (ER: 3.81)

Down leg: 36 off 27 (ER: 8)

Outside off: 10 off 11 (ER: 5.45)

Fifty for Ryan Rickelton !

Ryan Rickelton brings up his second ODI fifty! 

Score after 14 overs

South Africa: 74/1

Stat: Today was the third instance of Mohammad Nabi bowling three or more overs in the Powerplay in ODIs post the 2019 World Cup - all three have been against South Africa. He has been used as a matchup against left-handers at the top: Quinton de Kock had a strike-rate of 39.28 against the off-spinner in ODIs (11 off 28, one dismissal). Today was the second instance he dismissed Tony de Zorzi in ODIs (three innings).

Score after 13 overs

South Africa: 70/1

Score after 12 overs

South Africa: 61/1

Score after 11 overs

South Africa: 51/1

Score after 10 overs 

South Africa: 46/1

AFG Playing XI:

- Rahmanullah Gurbaz(Wk)

- Ibrahim Zadran 

- Sediqullah Atal 

- Rahmat Shah

- Hashmatullah Shahidi(C)

- Azmatullah Omarzai 

- Gulbadin Naib 

- Mohammad Nabi

- Rashid Khan 

- Fazalhaq Farooqi 

- Noor Ahmad

Klaasen ruled out!

Klaasen has been ruled out of today's contest due to a left elbow soft tissue injury. It's a precautionary measure