Ryan Rickelton’s (106-ball 103) maiden ton powered South Africa to a staggering 315-6 against Afghanistan in the third match of the Champions Trophy at the Karachi stadium on Friday.
Opting to bat first, the Proteas were off to a shaky start, losing opener Tony de Zorzi for just run-a-ball as Afghanistan veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi had provided an early breakthrough to his team.
But since then, the Proteas batters had never looked back, despite good bowling performances by Afghanistan in patches.
South African captain Temba Bavuma found an able ally in Rickelton and the pair stitched a 129-run partnership for the third wicket to add impetus to the South Africa’s innings.
Bavuma notched his sixth half-century, scoring 76-ball 58, lacing with five boundaries, before he was removed by Nabi.
Rassie van der Dussen had also played a brilliant knock, plundering 46-ball 52, studded with three boundaries and two sixes.
David Miller, who had a great practice session with the bat ahead of the match could not manage to show significant resistance with the bat and scored 14 runs off 18 balls.
Aiden Markram remained unbeaten, scoring a 36-ball 52, complemented with six boundaries and one towering six.
Marco Jansen made his way back to the pavilion without troubling the scorecard as Azmatulah Omarzai flummoxed the former.
Wiaan Mulder remained unbeaten, scoring 6 balls, 12.
