South Africa secured a pivotal seven-wicket victory against England, eliminating Afghanistan from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Rassie van der Dussen’s unbeaten 72 guided South Africa to a successful chase of 180 runs, finishing at 181-3. England’s batting woes continued, concluding with a total of 179 all out, resulting in their elimination and a disappointing seventh straight ODI defeat for the team.
In a decisive match in Lahore, South Africa triumphed over England by seven wickets, effectively ousting Afghanistan from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With a solid performance, Rassie van der Dussen’s unbeaten 72 off 87 balls steered South Africa to victory, securing their position in the semifinals. This win saw South Africa finish atop Group B, followed by Australia, with Afghanistan in third place and eliminated from the tournament.
South Africa’s innings commenced on a shaky note as they lost Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton to Jofra Archer, placing them at 47-2. However, a vital partnership formed between van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen, who contributed 64 runs, stabilized their innings and ultimately led to a successful chase of England’s modest total. The Proteas concluded with a score of 181-3 in just 29.1 overs.
England, opting to bat first after winning the toss, struggled significantly, collapsing for a mere 179 runs in 38.2 overs. Marco Jansen was instrumental, claiming three wickets for 39 runs, while Wiaan Mulder supported with three wickets for 25 runs. Jos Buttler, England’s captain, acknowledged the dismal performance, marking their seventh consecutive ODI defeat.
This match not only highlighted South Africa’s prowess but also marked a disappointing exit for England and Afghanistan from the ICC Champions Trophy. With South Africa advancing to the semifinals, they will now face either India or New Zealand. The contrasting fortunes of the teams underscore the unpredictability and competitive nature of cricket on such a prestigious stage.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
