In a thrilling clash of cricketing prowess, the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard revealed a fiercely contested battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. This high-stakes encounter showcased not only raw talent but also strategic brilliance, as both teams fought hard to dominate the pitch. From blistering boundaries to game-changing wickets, the scorecard painted a vivid picture of the drama that unfolded in this much-anticipated match.
Whether you’re a die-hard cricket enthusiast or a casual viewer, diving into the South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard offers a comprehensive breakdown of every over, player performance, and turning point. This match wasn’t just about numbers—it was a showcase of resilience, skill, and national pride from two passionate cricketing nations.
Pre-Match Context and Tournament Significance
The ICC Champions Trophy represents one of cricket’s most prestigious tournaments, bringing together the world’s top eight cricket nations. For South Africa, this match was crucial as they aimed to make a strong start in Group B. The Proteas, as South Africa is affectionately known, have always been considered one of the strongest teams in world cricket, and they were expected to perform well in this tournament.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, represented the spirit of emerging cricket nations. Their journey from Associate status to full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been nothing short of remarkable. Every match for Afghanistan in such tournaments is an opportunity to prove themselves against established cricketing powers and gain valuable experience.
Match Details and Conditions: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Venue Information:
- Stadium: National Stadium, Karachi
- Capacity: Approximately 34,000 spectators
- Weather Conditions: Clear skies with moderate temperature
- Pitch Report: Good batting surface with even bounce
- Toss Decision: South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first
Match Officials:
- On-field Umpires: Alex Wharf and Sharfuddoula
- TV Umpire: Richard Kettleborough
- Reserve Umpire: Asif Yaqoob
- Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
The decision to bat first proved to be crucial, as South African captain Temba Bavuma correctly assessed that the pitch would be at its best for batting in the first innings, with the ball coming onto the bat nicely under afternoon conditions.
South Africa’s First Innings: A Batting Masterclass
Early Foundation and Opening Partnership
South Africa began their innings with the opening pair of Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi. However, the start wasn’t entirely smooth sailing. Tony de Zorzi, who had been in good form leading up to this match, was dismissed early for just 11 runs off 11 balls. His dismissal came in the 6th over when he was caught by Azmatullah Omarzai off the bowling of Mohammad Nabi, leaving South Africa at 28/1.
The Rickelton-Bavuma Partnership: Building the Foundation
The dismissal of de Zorzi brought captain Temba Bavuma to the crease, and what followed was a partnership that would define South Africa’s innings. Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma combined to add 129 runs for the second wicket, laying the foundation for what would become a massive total.
Ryan Rickelton’s Magnificent Century:
Ryan Rickelton, the wicket-keeper batsman, played the innings of his life. His century was a perfect blend of classical cricket shots and modern aggressive batting. Starting cautiously, Rickelton gradually increased his scoring rate as he settled into his innings.
Key aspects of Rickelton’s innings:
- Runs Scored: 103 runs off 106 balls
- Boundaries: 15 fours and 4 sixes
- Strike Rate: 97.16
- Time at Crease: Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Milestone Moments: Reached his fifty off 64 balls and completed his century off 102 balls
Rickelton’s batting technique was flawless throughout his innings. He played the Afghan spinners with great skill, using his feet well to get to the pitch of the ball. Against the pace bowlers, he showed excellent timing and placement, finding gaps in the field with precision. His four sixes came at crucial moments when Afghanistan’s bowlers tried to contain the run flow.
Temba Bavuma’s Captain’s Knock:
Captain Temba Bavuma provided excellent support to Rickelton with a well-constructed 58 runs off 76 balls. Bavuma’s innings was characterized by:
- Responsible Captaincy: Leading from the front with a steady innings
- Rotation of Strike: Kept the scoreboard moving with quick singles and doubles
- Boundary Hitting: Hit 9 fours, showing his ability to find gaps
- Partnership Building: His 129-run partnership with Rickelton was the backbone of South Africa’s total
Middle Order Acceleration
After Bavuma’s dismissal in the 29th over, South Africa’s middle order took charge of accelerating the scoring rate. Rassie van der Dussen joined Rickelton and immediately showed his intent to score quickly.
Rassie van der Dussen’s Explosive Contribution:
Van der Dussen played a crucial cameo of 52 runs off just 46 balls, maintaining a strike rate of 113.04. His innings included:
- Quick Start: Reached his fifty off just 44 balls
- Boundary Hitting: 5 fours and 5 sixes showed his power-hitting ability
- Strategic Batting: Knew when to attack and when to rotate strike
- Partnership Impact: Added important runs with both Rickelton and later with Markram
Aiden Markram’s Finishing Act:
Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 52 runs off 36 balls, playing the role of a perfect finisher. His innings was crucial in pushing South Africa’s total beyond 300. Key features of his innings:
- Strike Rate: 144.44, showing his aggressive intent
- Boundary Distribution: 6 fours, all well-timed shots
- Death Overs Batting: Scored quickly in the final overs
- Unbeaten Status: Remained not out, ensuring no further wickets fell
South Africa’s Complete Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Dismissal | Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Rickelton (wk) | 103 | 106 | 15 | 4 | 97.16 | Run out (Rashid/Gurbaz) | 129 (2nd wicket) |
| Tony de Zorzi | 11 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 100.00 | c Omarzai b Nabi | 28 (1st wicket) |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | 58 | 76 | 9 | 8 | 76.31 | c Atal b Nabi | 129 (2nd wicket) |
| Rassie van der Dussen | 52 | 46 | 5 | 5 | 113.04 | c Shahidi b Ahmad | 44 (3rd wicket) |
| Aiden Markram | 52* | 36 | 6 | 0 | 144.44 | Not out | 47 (4th wicket) |
| David Miller | 14 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 77.77 | c Shah b Farooqi | 50 (5th wicket) |
| Marco Jansen | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | b Omarzai | 1 (6th wicket) |
| Wiaan Mulder | 12* | 6 | 7 | 1 | 200.00 | Not out | 16* (7th wicket) |
Extras: 13 (13 wides)
Total: 315/6 in 50.0 overs
Run Rate: 6.30 per over
Afghanistan’s Bowling Analysis in First Innings:Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Afghanistan’s bowling attack faced a challenging task against a strong South African batting lineup. Despite conceding 315 runs, there were some positive aspects to their bowling performance.
Key Bowling Performances:
Mohammad Nabi – The Veteran Spinner:
- Figures: 10-0-51-2
- Economy Rate: 5.10 (best among all bowlers)
- Wickets: Dismissed both openers (de Zorzi and Bavuma)
- Bowling Style: Used his experience to vary pace and flight
- Impact: His tight bowling in the middle overs prevented a bigger total
Fazalhaq Farooqi – The Pace Spearhead:
- Figures: 8-0-59-1
- Key Wicket: Dismissed dangerous David Miller
- Death Bowling: Bowled well in the final overs
- Variations: Used slower balls and yorkers effectively
Other Bowlers:
- Noor Ahmad: 9-0-65-1 (took the crucial wicket of van der Dussen)
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 6-0-39-1 (dismissed Marco Jansen)
- Rashid Khan: 10-0-59-0 (wicketless but economical)
- Gulbadin Naib: 7-0-42-0 (support bowler)
Afghanistan’s Second Innings: The Chase Begins
Chasing a mammoth target of 316 runs, Afghanistan needed their batsmen to play the innings of their lives. However, the task proved to be extremely challenging against a disciplined South African bowling attack.
Early Collapse and Fighting Back
Afghanistan’s innings began disastrously. They lost their first four wickets for just 50 runs, putting them in a virtually impossible position. The early dismissals were:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10 runs): The wicket-keeper batsman was caught by Maharaj off Ngidi’s bowling in the 4th over
- Ibrahim Zadran (17 runs): Bowled by Rabada in the 10th over
- Sediqullah Atal (16 runs): Run out by Jansen in the 14th over
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (0 runs): Captain dismissed for a duck, caught by Bavuma off Mulder
Rahmat Shah’s Heroic Effort
In the midst of this batting collapse, Rahmat Shah emerged as Afghanistan’s lone warrior. His innings of 90 runs off 92 balls was a masterclass in batting under pressure.
Key Aspects of Rahmat Shah’s Innings:
- Technique: Showed excellent technique against both pace and spin
- Temperament: Remained calm despite wickets falling at the other end
- Boundary Hitting: 14 fours and 7 sixes showed his ability to find boundaries
- Strike Rate: 97.82, maintaining a good scoring rate
- Duration: Batted for over 2 hours, showing great concentration
- Partnerships: Tried to build partnerships but lacked support from other end
Fighting Till the End:
Rahmat Shah’s dismissal in the final over (43.3) when he was caught by Rickelton off Rabada’s bowling marked the end of Afghanistan’s innings. He was the last man to fall, having carried his team’s hopes single-handedly.
Afghanistan’s Complete Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Dismissal | Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | 10 | 14 | 1 | 8 | 71.42 | c Maharaj b Ngidi | 16 (1st wicket) |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 17 | 29 | 4 | 5 | 58.62 | b Rabada | 22 (2nd wicket) |
| Sediqullah Atal | 16 | 32 | 4 | 6 | 50.00 | run out (Jansen) | 12 (3rd wicket) |
| Rahmat Shah | 90 | 92 | 14 | 7 | 97.82 | c Rickelton b Rabada | Multiple |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | c Bavuma b Mulder | 0 (4th wicket) |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 18 | 27 | 3 | 4 | 66.66 | c Rickelton b Rabada | 39 (5th wicket) |
| Mohammad Nabi | 8 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 47.05 | c Rabada b Jansen | 31 (6th wicket) |
| Gulbadin Naib | 13 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 68.42 | c Bavuma b Ngidi | 22 (7th wicket) |
| Rashid Khan | 18 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 138.46 | c Markram b Maharaj | 27 (8th wicket) |
| Noor Ahmad | 9 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 60.00 | b Mulder | 39 (9th wicket) |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 0* | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | Not out | 0* (10th wicket) |
Extras: 9 (2 byes, 1 no-ball, 6 wides)
Total: 208 all out in 43.3 overs
Run Rate: 4.78 per over
South Africa’s Bowling Dominance
South Africa’s bowling attack was clinical in their execution, taking wickets at regular intervals and never allowing Afghanistan to build substantial partnerships.
Bowling Analysis:
Kagiso Rabada – The Match Winner:
- Figures: 8.3-1-36-3
- Economy Rate: 4.23
- Key Wickets: Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah
- Bowling Quality: Mixed pace variations with accurate line and length
- Death Bowling: Took the final wicket to complete Afghanistan’s innings
Lungi Ngidi – The Strike Bowler:
- Figures: 8-0-56-2
- Key Wickets: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (early breakthrough), Gulbadin Naib
- New Ball Impact: Used the new ball effectively to get early wickets
Wiaan Mulder – The All-rounder’s Contribution:
- Figures: 9-0-36-2
- Economy Rate: 4.00 (very economical)
- Key Wickets: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain’s wicket), Noor Ahmad
- Bowling Style: Medium pace with good control
Marco Jansen – The Left-arm Angle:
- Figures: 8-1-32-1
- Key Wicket: Mohammad Nabi
- Bowling Style: Left-arm pace with good bounce and movement
Keshav Maharaj – The Spin Option:
- Figures: 10-0-46-1
- Key Wicket: Rashid Khan
- Role: Provided control in the middle overs and broke partnerships
Match Turning Points and Key Moments: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Critical Moments That Decided the Match:
- Ryan Rickelton’s Century: His 103-run knock provided the foundation for South Africa’s big total
- Afghanistan’s Early Collapse: Losing 4 wickets for 50 runs virtually ended their chances
- Rahmat Shah’s Lone Fight: His 90-run innings showed what could have been possible with support
- South African Bowling Discipline: Never allowed Afghanistan to build momentum
- Fielding Excellence: South Africa held their catches and effected crucial run-outs
Statistical Highlights:
- Highest Individual Score: Ryan Rickelton (103) – South Africa
- Best Bowling Figures: Kagiso Rabada (3/36) – South Africa
- Most Boundaries: Rahmat Shah (21 boundaries – 14 fours, 7 sixes)
- Fastest Fifty: Rassie van der Dussen (44 balls)
- Best Partnership: Rickelton-Bavuma (129 runs for 2nd wicket)
Awards and Recognition: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Player of the Match: Ryan Rickelton
Ryan Rickelton’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award. His contributions included:
- Batting: 103 runs off 106 balls with 15 fours and 4 sixes
- Wicket-keeping: 2 catches behind the stumps
- Impact: His century was the foundation of South Africa’s victory
- Cricinfo MVP: Also named Cricinfo’s Most Valuable Player with 128.31 points
Tournament Implications and Points Table Impact: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Points Distribution:
- South Africa: Earned 2 points for the victory
- Afghanistan: Earned 0 points for the defeat
Tournament Implications:
For South Africa:
- Perfect start to their Champions Trophy campaign
- Boosted their net run rate significantly (+2.14)
- Established themselves as early favorites in Group B
- Showed depth in both batting and bowling departments
For Afghanistan:
- Disappointing start but not the end of their campaign
- Need to regroup quickly for remaining group matches
- Positive takeaway: Rahmat Shah’s fighting innings
- Must address top-order batting concerns
Tactical Analysis and Team Strategies
South Africa’s Winning Strategy:
- Batting First Decision: Correctly assessed conditions to bat first
- Building Partnerships: Focused on building substantial partnerships
- Acceleration Phase: Perfectly timed their scoring rate increase
- Bowling Discipline: Maintained tight lines and lengths throughout
- Field Placements: Intelligent field settings to build pressure
Afghanistan’s Areas for Improvement:
- Top Order Stability: Need more consistent starts from opening batsmen
- Partnership Building: Must learn to build innings around set batsmen
- Death Bowling: Need better execution in final overs
- Fielding Standards: Some missed opportunities in the field
- Pressure Handling: Better composure needed in high-pressure situations
Fan Experience and Atmosphere
The match was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the National Stadium, Karachi. Cricket fans from both countries, as well as neutral supporters, enjoyed a day of high-quality cricket. The atmosphere was particularly electric during:
- Ryan Rickelton’s century milestone
- Rahmat Shah’s fighting innings
- Key wicket-taking moments
- The final moments of Afghanistan’s innings
Conclusion: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard , This comprehensive victory for South Africa demonstrated why they are considered one of the top cricket teams in the world. Their balanced approach, combining solid batting performances with disciplined bowling, proved too strong for Afghanistan on this occasion.
For Afghanistan, despite the heavy defeat, there were lessons to be learned and positives to build upon, particularly Rahmat Shah’s outstanding individual performance. As they prepare for their remaining group matches, they will need to address their batting fragilities while maintaining the fighting spirit that has brought them this far in international cricket.
The match will be remembered for Ryan Rickelton’s career-defining century and South Africa’s clinical all-round performance. It set the tone for what promises to be an exciting Champions Trophy tournament, with South Africa establishing themselves as serious contenders for the title.
Read More : Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
FAQ : Afghanistan vs South Africa
1. Who won the match between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard?
The winner of the match is determined by the final scorecard, which highlights the total runs scored, wickets taken, and overall performance of both teams. Be sure to check the latest scorecard for the official result.
2. Where can I find the full scorecard for the Afghanistan vs South Africa match?
The complete Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard is available on major sports websites like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and the ICC’s official platform.
3. Who was the top performer in the Afghanistan vs South Africa match?
The scorecard will detail individual performances including top run-scorers, highest wicket-takers, and Player of the Match—giving insights into who made the biggest impact.
4. What were the key moments in the match?
Key moments often include game-changing wickets, big partnerships, and turning points. These are usually reflected in the match summary and detailed over-by-over breakdown in the scorecard.
5. How did Afghanistan and South Africa’s head-to-head record look before this match?
Prior to this encounter, South Africa had a dominant head-to-head record against Afghanistan in international cricket. The match scorecard adds another chapter to their ongoing rivalry.
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