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Aiden Markram Special In Karachi ! Hits Fastest 50 For South Africa In Champions Trophy

Kaushik Kashyap

Aiden Markram hits fastest 50 for SA in CT. [Source - ProteasMenCSA/X]Aiden Markram hits fastest 50 for SA in CT. [Source - ProteasMenCSA/X]

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Temba Bavuma's South Africa has finally kicked off their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. The Proteas have come up against Afghanistan in the third match of the tournament at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

Markram's Late Surge Powers South Africa To Massive Total

On what looked like a hot and dry day in Karachi, South Africa posted a formidable 315-run total after choosing to bat first. It was a great batting performance from the entire unit with almost everyone chipping with crucial runs. However, it was Aiden Markram’s swashbuckling half-century at the later stage of the innings which helped South Africa to finish their innings on a high.

Coming to bat at 5 in the absence of Heinrich Klaasen, Markram had the responsibility to finish the innings well and take South Africa to an above-par total. He initially set his eyes and went big towards the frag end of the innings. He took on the likes of Noor Ahmed and Fazalhaq Farooqi and completed his half-century in just 33 balls which happened to be the fastest ever for the Proteas in Champions Trophy in terms of balls.

SA players with fastest fifty in Champions Trophy

Player
Balls
Opposition
Year
Aiden Markram
33Afghanistan2025
Graeme Smith40Sri Lanka
2009
Ryan McLaren40India2013

Ryan Rickelton's Maiden Ton Puts South Africa On Top

Earlier, South Africa lost Tony de Zorzi early in the powerplay but Ryan Rickelton alongside Temba Bavuma added 129 runs for the second wicket, putting South Africa in a strong position. Captain Bavuma fell soon after scoring his fifty but Rickelton kept going at the other end and went on to score his maiden ODI century.

Eyeing a big finish, Rassie van Der Dussen struck a half-century as well, followed by some late hitting from Markram and Wiaan Mulder at the end. With the ball, Afghanistan majorly struggled with the ball except Mohammad Nabi who finished with a figure of 2/51 in his 10.