Aiden Markram scores the fastest fifty by any South African batter in Champions Trophy history in terms of balls faced. During the Champions Trophy 2025 clash between Afghanistan and South Africa at Karachi, Markram brings up his half-century in just 33 deliveries.
Prior to Markram’s 33-ball half-century, Graeme Smith and Ryan McLaren’s 40-ball half-centuries against Sri Lanka(2009) and India(2013) remain the fastest respectively.
Fastest 50s for SA in Champions Trophy (by balls faced)
- 33 – Aiden Markram vs AFG, Karachi, 2025
- 40 – Graeme Smith vs SL, Centurion, 2009
- 40 – Ryan McLaren vs IND, Cardiff, 2013
Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan was scheduled to face Temba Bavuma led South Africa to play the third match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 21 in National Stadium, Karachi.
The match against South Africa at Karachi will be the maiden ICC Champions Trophy appearance for Afghanistan.
Speaking of the match, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first where Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi opened the attack. The duo made a steady start and added 28 runs in five wickets without losing a wicket.
But Mohammad Nabi came into the attack and broke the partnership by dismissing de Zorzi for 11 runs and registered his maiden Champions Trophy wicket. Following Zorzi’s dismissal, South African captain Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton made a century stand and pushed the team’s score beyond the 150 mark.
While the duo was seen threatening, Nabi dismissed Bavuma and gave the much-needed break for Afghanistan.
But Ryan Rickelton continued his momentum and scored a century but soon lost his wicket in an unexpected runout. Aiden Markram with his unbeaten 52 pushed South Africa to end with a massive score of 315 for six wickets loss at the end of 50 overs.
History has been made! #RyanRickelton becomes the first WK/batter from South Africa to score a century in the Champions Trophy. #ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉🏻 Afghanistan 🆚 South Africa | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 & Sports 18-1!
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 21, 2025
