South Africa demolish England to reach semis

KARACHI: South Africa thrashed England by 7 wickets in a match of Group B of ICC Champions Trophy here at National Stadium on Saturday and qualified for the semifinals.

Marco Jansen was declared player of the match.

After domination in bowling and fielding, South African betters also dominated, reaching the target of 180 runs for the loss of 3 wickets with 20.5 overs left.

Half-centuries from Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen led South Africa to a commanding victory.

Tristan Stubbs was clean bowled off Jofra Archer. South Africa lost their first wicket at the score of 11 runs. The second wicket partnership took the score to 47 when Archer clean bowled Ryan Rickelton, who smashed five boundaries in his 25-ball 27 runs innings.

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.

van der Dussen guided South Africa over the line with an unbeaten 72 off 87 deliveries, studded with six fours and three sixes. Archer conceded 55 runs for 2 wickets.

Earlier, England won the toss and elected to bat first, but their decision backfired as they were bundled out for just 179 runs — the lowest total in this edition of the Champions Trophy — with more than 11 overs remaining.

The trouble began early when opener Phil Salt, who had scored 8 runs, was dismissed at a score of 9. He was caught by Van der Dussen off the bowling of Marco Jansen.

Jamie Smith also failed to make an impact and was caught by Aiden Markram off Jansen’s bowling. Their third wicket fell at 37 runs when Ben Duckett, who had scored 24 with four boundaries, was caught and bowled by Jansen.

Joe Root and Harry Brook put together a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket — the longest stand of the innings.

This partnership ended when spinner Keshav Maharaj dismissed Brook, who had scored 19, caught by Jansen. England’s score was then 99 for 4.

After that, wickets fell at regular intervals. Root, who was playing well, was dismissed for 37 off 44 balls by Mulder. Captain Jos Buttler, playing his last ODI as England captain, scored 21 before being caught by Maharaj off Nigidi’s bowling.

After Buttler’s departure, only Archer offered some resistance, making 25.

For South Africa, Marco Jansen conceded 39 runs and Wiaan Mulder 25 runs, with both taking three wickets each, while Keshav Maharaj took 2 for 35.

TODAY’S FIXTURE

India vs New Zealand

2:00 pm PST