March 01, 2025
South Africa grabbed a seven-wicket victory against England by chasing a modest 180-run target, with Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen's fifties in the 11th match of the tournament being played at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Saturday.
South Africa topped Group B following a commanding victory in the last group match as the Proteas comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just three wickets and 125 balls to spare.
The Proteas, however, had a contrasting start to their pursuit as Jofra Archer dismissed both their openers Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton inside the powerplay with 47 runs on the board.
Rickelton smashed five boundaries on his way to a 25-ball 27, while Stubbs fell for a five-ball duck.
Following the early stutter, Klaasen joined van der Dussen in the middle and put South Africa in touching distance with a 127-run partnership, which culminated with the former’s dismissal when the side needed just six runs to win.
Klaasen scored 64 off 56 deliveries, laced with 11 fours.
Rassie van der Dussen, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way through and guided South Africa over the line with an unbeaten 72 off 87 deliveries, studded with six fours and three sixes.
For England, Archer bagged two wickets, while Adil Rashid picked up one.
The Proteas only needed to avoid losing the ongoing fixture by 207 runs to progress further in the eight-team tournament but a combined bowling effort denied Afghanistan any chance of pipping them in terms of net run rate.
As a result, South Africa and Australia become the two teams from Group B to reach the Final Four.
England captain Jos Buttler’s decision to bat first did not prove beneficial as his batting unit unfolded on a meagre 179 in 38.2 overs.
The former World Cup winners, who are already out of the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final race, got off to a disastrous start to their innings as Marco Jansen ran through their top order to leave them reeling at 37/3 in 6.4 overs.
Following the early debacle, in-form veteran Joe Root joined forces with Harry Brook and attempted to launch recovery.
The duo batted cautiously to add 62 runs for the fourth wicket until Brook fell victim to Keshav Maharaj in the 17th over. He scored 19 off 29 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.
England suffered another blow to their batting expedition as another set batter Root followed suit in the next over after being bowled by Wiaan Mulder.
Root remained the top-scorer for England with a gritty 37 off 44 deliveries, laced with four fours and a six.
Coming out to bat at number six, England captain Buttler held one end firm while his side lost two more wickets in quick succession and consequently slipped to 129/7 in 25.3 overs.
Buttler then received notable support from the other end in the form of Jofra Archer and together they raised an important 42 runs before perishing in quick succession.
Archer scored 25 off 31 deliveries, while Buttler made a 43-ball 21.
For South Africa, Jansen and Mulder bagged three wickets each, followed by Maharaj with two wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Ngidi made one scalp apiece.
South Africa: Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
England: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood
