Ryan Rickelton's ton leads South Africa over Afghanistan in Champions Trophy
Opener Ryan Rickelton’s maiden one-day international century earned South Africa a 107-run victory over Champions Trophy debutant Afghanistan on Friday.
Rickelton hit 103 off 106 balls and four of the top five batters scored at least half-centuries in South Africa's 6-315 total.
The hard surface had plenty of cracks perfectly suited to the four-pronged South Africa pace attack and Afghanistan crumbled to 208 all out in 43.3 overs.
READ MORE: Matildas in turmoil after horror loss in Cup debut
READ MORE: Anthem singer's surprise Trump protest at major game
READ MORE: Visa drama threatening Burgess' Vegas coaching debut
Victory ended South Africa's six-match losing streak in ODIs.
“Clinical performance,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said. “We got the rub of the green with the toss but it was a brave decision to bat first not knowing how (the pitch) would play, (but) we took care of that.”
South Africa suffered a blow before the Group B game when Heinrich Klaasen was ruled out by an elbow injury, but replacement Rassie van der Dussen struck a brisk 52 off 46 balls.
Ryan Rickelton dominated for South Africa. ICC via Getty Images
The South Africa pacers exploited Afghanistan's top order weakness against short balls.
Kagiso Rabada consistently hit the right lengths and knocked over the middle stump of Ibrahim Zadran off a delivery that was measured at 148 km/h.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi all were caught from pull shots and, in between, Rabada cramped Azmatullah Omarzai with another short ball down the legside and got him caught behind for 18.
At that point, Afghanistan sunk to 5-89 in the 23rd over.
“The batting was not good enough today,” Shahidi said. “We have the ability to fight but we didn’t play the way we wanted. We have two games (left) so we will forget what happened and look forward.”
Rahmat Shah top-scored with 90 off 92 balls and Rashid Khan briefly gave hundreds of Afghan supporters cheer in National Bank Stadium with three boundaries and a six in his 18.
“He played really well in tough times, we will take that as a positive," Shahidi said.
Rabada picked up 3-36 that included the last wicket of Shah, while Lungi Ngidi (2-56), Wiaan Mulder (2-36) and Marco Jansen (1-32) also bowled at tight lengths.
On Saturday, two-time champion Australia takes on England in Lahore.
