“Rashid Khan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Match-Winning Performances, Records & Impact”

South African Wicketkeeper-Batsman Ryan Rickelton’s Unfortunate Dismissal Against Afghanistan

South Africa’s 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, Ryan Rickelton, faced an incredibly unfortunate dismissal during Friday’s match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The third match of the tournament is currently underway at Karachi’s National Stadium, where Group B teams, Afghanistan and South Africa, are competing.

Ryan Rickelton Smashes a Sensational Century

Rickelton has been in outstanding form across all three formats of the game. He recently scored a double century in Test cricket and delivered an impressive performance in the latest edition of SA20.

Continuing his red-hot form in ODIs, Rickelton played a phenomenal knock against Afghanistan in South Africa’s opening match of the Champions Trophy.

Batting in the middle order, he looked comfortable against Afghanistan’s bowlers and never seemed under pressure. He reached his half-century in just 48 balls and then brought up his century in 101 deliveries. With this, Ryan Rickelton became the first South African wicketkeeper-batsman to score a century in ICC Champions Trophy history. Additionally, he became only the second South African player to score a century on his ICC tournament debut, following Gary Kirsten, who had smashed 188* against the UAE in the 1996 World Cup.

However, his innings came to a heartbreaking end in the 36th over when he was run out in the most unfortunate manner. On the third ball of the over, Rickelton played a flat delivery straight to Rashid Khan. Rashid quickly picked up the ball and threw it to the keeper as Rickelton scrambled back to his crease. The South African batter dived to save himself, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz swiftly dislodged the bails. Unfortunately, Rickelton’s bat was still in the air when the stumps were broken, resulting in his dismissal.

He walked back to a standing ovation after scoring 103 runs off 106 balls, hitting seven fours and one six.

South Africa’s Last ICC Champions Trophy Match

South Africa’s previous ICC Champions Trophy match was on June 11, 2017, against India at The Oval. It turned out to be a nightmare for them, as they suffered an eight-wicket defeat and were knocked out of the tournament.

Batting first, South Africa crumbled from a strong position of 140/2 to 191 all out in 44.3 overs, losing their last eight wickets for just 51 runs. India comfortably chased down the target with 72 balls to spare.

Openers Quinton de Kock (53 off 72 balls) and Hashim Amla (35 off 54 balls) gave South Africa a solid start with a 76-run partnership. However, Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Amla, and Ravindra Jadeja got rid of de Kock, triggering a collapse. Faf du Plessis (36 off 50 balls) played well in the middle order, but two crucial run-outs – AB de Villiers (16 off 12 balls) and David Miller (1 off 3 balls) – further derailed the innings.

Jasprit Bumrah (2/28) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/23) bowled brilliantly for India, while Ashwin, Hardik Pandya, and Jadeja picked up a wicket each.

While chasing, Rohit Sharma fell early, but Shikhar Dhawan (78 off 83 balls) and Virat Kohli (76* off 101 balls) dominated South Africa’s bowling attack. Though Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel claimed a wicket each, the damage was already done, and India secured an easy win.

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