South Africa triumphed over England by seven wickets in Lahore, securing a place in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and eliminating Afghanistan. Rassie van der Dussen’s unbeaten 72 led the charge as South Africa chased down England’s total of 179, finishing at 181-3. England’s loss marked their seventh consecutive defeat in ODIs, leading to captain Jos Buttler’s announcement to resign.
South Africa secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over England in Lahore, effectively propelling themselves into the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while simultaneously ending Afghanistan’s hopes of progression. Rassie van der Dussen was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 72 not out off 87 deliveries as South Africa chased down a modest target of 180, finishing their innings at 181-3 in 29.1 overs.
In Group B standings, South Africa’s triumph allowed them to finish at the top, placing Australia in second and relegating Afghanistan to third, thereby eliminating them from the tournament. England, having previously lost all their matches, concluded their disappointing run at the bottom of the table, underlining a stark downturn in their fortunes after back-to-back losses.
England’s innings faltered from the beginning, with Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder dismantling their batting lineup, taking three wickets each. Despite Joe Root’s modest effort of 37 runs, England collapsed and managed only 179 all out in 38.2 overs. Jos Buttler, the captain, expressed his disappointment, marking England’s seventh consecutive ODI defeat and announcing his intention to step down following the team’s poor performance in both this tournament and the previous World Cup.
In the chase, South Africa encountered early setbacks but rallied thanks to a resilient partnership between Van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen, who added 127 runs for the third wicket. Klaasen contributed with a solid 64 runs, and Van der Dussen’s adaptability featured six fours and three sixes in his innings.
Stand-in captain Aiden Markram did not play due to a hamstring injury incurred while fielding, yet South Africa’s efficient batting ensured they reached the target with relative ease before the end of the 30th over, showcasing their readiness for the semifinals against a to-be-determined competitor.
South Africa’s decisive win over England allowed them to claim the top position in Group B of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while eliminating Afghanistan from the tournament. Rassie van der Dussen’s pivotal innings and the dominant bowling from Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder were key factors in this success. England’s dismal performance signaled the end of their campaign and raised questions about their leadership and future in international cricket.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
