NEW DELHI: Ryan Rickelton achieved his first ODI century as South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 107 runs in the Champions Trophy at Karachi on Friday.
Rickelton scored 103 from 106 balls, including seven fours and a six, leading South Africa to a substantial total of 315-6 in the Group B encounter at the National Stadium.
The South African pace bowlers Kagiso Rabada (3-36), Wiaan Mulder (2-36) and Lungi Ngidi (2-56) restricted Afghanistan to 208 runs, bowling them out in 43.3 overs.
Afghanistan’s renowned spinners struggled, with Rashid Khan failing to take any wickets whilst conceding 59 runs in his allocated 10 overs.
Rahmat Shah led Afghanistan’s batting with a valiant 90 from 92 deliveries, including nine fours and a six, before being dismissed as the final wicket.
Afghanistan’s run chase faltered early as they lost openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) and Ibrahim Zadran (17) within the first 10 overs.
The situation worsened when Sediqullah Atal (16) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (0) departed, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 50-4.
Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai (18) advanced the score to 89 before Rabada and Marco Jansen, who dismissed Mohammad Nabi, effectively ended Afghanistan’s chances.
Rashid Khan provided brief entertainment with 18 runs from 13 balls, including a six and three fours.
Earlier, Rickelton received support from captain Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram (52 not out) in building South Africa’s impressive total after winning the toss.
Nabi, who finished with 2-51, struck early by dismissing Tony de Zorzi for 11, caught at mid-on.
A 129-run partnership between Rickelton and Bavuma followed as Afghanistan struggled in the field.
Bavuma’s 76-ball innings included five fours before he was caught off Nabi’s bowling, providing some cheer to the Afghan supporters in the sparse crowd.
Rickelton, with two Test centuries but a previous ODI best of 91, reached his maiden white-ball hundred with a single. He was subsequently run out in unfortunate circumstances.
Advancing to drive Rashid, Rickelton had to quickly return when the bowler collected and threw to wicketkeeper Gurbaz. Despite appearing to make his ground, replays showed his bat was slightly raised when Gurbaz removed the bails.
Van der Dussen scored 52 from 46 balls with two sixes and three fours before falling to Noor Ahmad in the 43rd over.
Markram ensured South Africa exceeded 300, scoring an unbeaten 52 from 36 balls with six fours and a six, helping add 50 runs in the final five overs.
Australia face England in another Group B match in Lahore on Saturday.
Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh comprise Group A, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.