KARACHI: South Africa secured a semi-final spot with a convincing seven-wicket victory over England in the 11th match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.
The Proteas successfully chased a modest target of 180 runs, losing three wickets in 29.3 overs. This victory also allowed South Africa to top Group B, which included Afghanistan, Australia, and England.
South Africa’s new opening pair, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, fell inside the power play with a score of 47 courtesy of Jofra Archer bowling.
Stubbs, who was playing his first match in the eight-team tournament, was castled on a duck while Rickelton fell on the score of 27 after hitting five fours.
After early inroads from England, Heinrich Klaasen joined Rassie van der Dussen and forged a 127-run stand. Klaasen departed when his team needed just six runs. His 64 off 56 deliveries featured 11 fours.
On the other hand, Van der Dussen remained firm and carried his team to a comfortable win with an unbeaten 72 off 87 deliveries. His well-crafted innings included half a dozen fours and three sixes.
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For England, Archer was the only silver lining, who bagged two wickets, while Adil Rashid picked up one wicket.
Marco Jansen, was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling and fielding.
The Proteas only needed to ensure they didn’t lose the current match by 207 runs to move forward in the eight-team tournament.
A strong bowling display kept Afghanistan from overtaking them in net run rate. As a result, South Africa and Australia secured the two qualifying spots for the Final Four from Group B.
Earlier, a combined bowling effort helped South Africa bundle England to a meagre 179 in the 11th match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at National Bank Stadium on Saturday.
England captain Jos Buttler, in his last match as captain, opted to bat first, however, the decision backfired as Phil Salt (8) fell prey to Marco Jansen in the first over.
Jansen displayed his brilliance with the new ball, removing Jamie Smith (0) and Ben Duckett (24) soon afterward to leave England reeling at 37-3.
Joe Root and Harry Brook (19) then joined hands to construct a 62-run stand for the fourth wicket before Keshav Maharaj broke the partnership.
Root, who top-scored with 37 from 44 balls, fell in the next over, leaving his team in a struggling position with the scoreboard reading 103-5.
South Africa bowlers did not allow England to make a comeback as they took two more wickets in quick succession before Buttler and Jofra Archer forged a crucial 42-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Archer scored a gutsy 25 off 31 with the help of four boundaries, while Buttler managed a scratchy 21 off 43 without any boundary.
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However, both batters fell in successive overs before Wiaan Mulder dismissed Adil Rashid (2) to wrap England’s innings at 179.
Mulder and Jansen took three wickets each for South Africa, while Maharaj bagged two. Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada managed one wicket each.
Playing XIs
England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
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