SA vs ENG (Source: @kaustats/X.com)
Courtesy of an outstanding bowling performance and decent batting, South Africa demolished England in the National Stadium in Karachi in the 11th match of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 by seven wickets. This victory by South Africa proved crucial as they qualified for the semi-finals, while England, who were already knocked out of the tournament, ended their campaign without a win.
Here’s the timeline of how SA vs ENG panned out in Karachi:
Lethal Jansen Ejects England's Top-Order As Root Suffers Alone
It was a false start for the Jos Buttler-led England side in Karachi, where they lost their first three wickets, all through the left-arm pace of Marco Jansen, by the end of the seventh over. Jansen, who bowled excellent line and lengths, easily dismissed both openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, while the wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith was sent back to the pavilion for a duck in the third over.
As they were three down for 37, England needed a solid partnership to bring them back into the game, which was provided by the ever-so-dependable Joe Root, with the help of some contribution by young Harry Brook.
For the fourth wicket, the duo staged a 62-run stand, after which Brook was sent back by spinner Keshav Maharaj for 19, as England were reduced to four for 99.
Soon after, in the very next over, Root was shattered by Wiaan Mulder, who knocked his stumps over with a peach of a delivery. The right-hander returned for 37 and eventually proved to be the highest scorer for the side.
Reckless Batting Keeps Proteas Ahead As England Bundled Out For 179
Following this, England displayed a dismal show with the bat as no one really stepped up to the occasion. Skipper Jos Buttler scored 21 off 43 deliveries and was the ninth wicket to fall inside the 36th over, while Jofra Archer was the second-highest scorer for the side with 25 from 31 deliveries.
Adding to this, the Buttler-Archer duo batted decently for a 42-run stand for the eighth wicket but couldn't really hang on for long. The bowlers proved to be highly economical and effective with the ball, as all five of them picked up wickets.
Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets apiece, while Keshav Maharaj was magnificent with figures of 2 for 35 in his 10 overs. England, at one stage, had 99 on the board for the loss of just three wickets and were bowled out for 179 as they collapsed in a matter of 80 runs.
The pitch proved to be highly supportive for pacers as wickets kept tumbling one after the other, while no English batter could really rise up to the occasion. The batting card was an absolute sorry tale for the Three Lions, as poor shots cost them big time.
Liam Livingstone was the biggest setback, who came out of his crease to play a massive heave but ended up missing the ball completely against Keshav Maharaj, only to be stumped by wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen.
Apart from some poor shots, credit should also be given to South Africa's catching and fielding, as they proved to be absolutely fantastic on the field with acrobatic catches all over the ground.
Dussen, Klaasen Frustrate England With 50-Run Stand After Archer Rocks Both Openers
In reply, chasing a relatively smaller total of 180, South Africa, who were missing the services of their regular skipper Temba Bavuma, opened with Ryan Rickelton and young Tristan Stubbs. However, they lost the latter in the third over as express pacer Jofra Archer knocked him over for a five-ball duck.
Rickelton batted decently for 27 until he, too, was cleaned up by Archer with another jaffa of a delivery. Rickelton was playing fine with five boundaries but also gave a chance to Saqib Mahmood off his own bowling, who was a little slow to react as a chip back from Rickelton ended up being a drop.
The number three batter, Rassie van der Dussen, and playing his first match of the tournament so far, Heinrich Klaasen came onto the crease and took the responsibility upon themselves to play decently, as they went on to score a 50-run partnership for the third wicket from 56 deliveries with just 80 more required for victory.
Proteas Ace The Chase As England Lose By Seven Wickets
Ultimately, it proved all too easy for the African side as the duo of van der Dussen, and Klassen took them closer to victory in the 29th over when the latter was dismissed with more than 21 overs to spare while both completed their respective fifties.
Dussen played 87 deliveries for 72 runs with six fours and three sixes, while Klassen was equally destructive with a 56-ball 64, pounding 11 fours during his knock. Van der Dussen and Klassen duo staged an outstanding 127-run partnership for the third wicket helping them book the semi-final spot.
David Miller submitted the final blow as he smashed a six on the first ball of the 30th over against Liam Livingstone to finish the game for his side. The Proteas won the game by seven wickets as England proved to be incompetent with the ball.
.jpg?type=mq "Hattrick in IML!")
.jpg?type=mq "Smriti Mandhana Fumbles!")
.jpg?type=mq?im=Resize=(250, 250) "Arnav Chopra")
