South Africa need 180 to win this crucial Champions Trophy match. With a strong batting lineup, South Africa need 180 to win and will feel confident in their chase. However, England’s bowlers know South Africa need 180 to win, and they’ll do everything to defend it. Can South Africa reach 180 to win, or will England pull off an upset?
England have put 180 on the board, giving South Africa Need 180 to Win ,Can England competitive target in this Champions Trophy clash. With a solid batting lineup, the Proteas will back themselves to chase it down, but England’s bowlers will be eager to make things tricky. Game on!
Rickelton Looks in Fine Form
Rickelton continues to impress, flicking one effortlessly off his pads to send the ball racing to the boundary at deep backward square. He follows it up with a well-placed single wide of mid-on—textbook cricket. Archer, however, looks more dangerous against the right-hander, getting one to straighten off the seam and square up van der Dussen.
Mahmood Drops Rickelton – A Missed Opportunity
Mahmood creates a chance as he gets one to lift off a full length, and Rickelton fires it straight back at him. It was a sharp opportunity, but still a catchable one. The ball struck Mahmood on the shoulder as he followed through an unlucky moment for the bowler.
Mahmood Misses a Chance, Rickelton Punishes
South Africa reaches 35-1 at the end of the 6th over, with Rickelton on 21 and van der Dussen on 7. Mahmood drops a return catch and immediately pays the price, dragging one short. Rickelton capitalizes, slashing it past point for four with a well-timed shot. He follows up with a single, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Van der Dussen edges one to deep third and retains the strike. Mahmood delivers a good ball there just like Archer, he appears more comfortable bowling to the right-hander.
South Africa Steady in the Chase
At the end of the 7th over, South Africa stands at 38-1, with Rickelton on 22 and van der Dussen on 8. The over yields a couple of singles and yet another wide down the leg side. Archer is trying to mix things up with a few cutters, searching for some movement, but the batters remain untroubled and in full control.
South Africa in Control
At the end of the 8th over, South Africa is cruising at 43-1, with Rickelton on 23 and van der Dussen on 12. Mahmood is bowling a tidy spell, keeping a good length and angling into the stumps, but he isn’t looking too threatening.
When he overpitches, van der Dussen capitalizes with a classy drive down the ground for four. The Proteas are scoring at over five runs an over, well ahead of the required rate of 3.2. They are firmly in control of this chase.
Klaasen Getting Started with Confidence
Van der Dussen is on 12 and Klaasen is on 5 as South Africa finishes the 9th over at 52-2. Without wasting any time, Klaasen hits a stunning four with his second ball that he drives through the covers.
But Archer is not deterred. Shortly after giving up a boundary to a cut shot, he had just taken Rickelton out with his fuller length. The bat-ball combat is still going on.
Powerplay Ends – South Africa in Control
With the completion of the 10th over, South Africa reaches 58-2, with van der Dussen on 17 and Klaasen on 7. In contrast, England had already lost three wickets by this stage.
England's batting woes continued as they registered the lowest score in the #ChampionsTrophy 2025😬#ChampionsTrophy # SAvENG ✍️:https://t.co/6ppCgdfPpj pic.twitter.com/RgkBgADRpV
— ICC (@ICC) March 1, 2025
As the sun sets in Karachi, so do England’s hopes in the Champions Trophy. Mahmood loses his line, straying onto van der Dussen’s pads, who neatly glances it fine for four, adding to South Africa’s momentum.
Archer’s Mixed Over – Tight Bowling but Extras Add Up
At the end of the 11th over, South Africa stands at 59-2, with van der Dussen on 17 and Klaasen on 6. Jofra Archer isn’t pleased as he gets penalized for another wide down the leg side—his seventh in six overs. While the call was marginal, it still adds to England’s extras.
Despite the extra, Archer keeps things tight, delivering six dot balls to van der Dussen, who remains cautious, carefully negotiating the rising deliveries.
Klaasen Punishes Overton’s Short Length
At the end of 12 overs, South Africa reaches 65-2, with van der Dussen on 18 and Klaasen on 11. Overton comes into the attack, hitting a hard length, but perhaps bowls a bit too short. Klaasen takes full advantage, smashing a powerful pull shot past midwicket for four. He follows it up with two more pull shots, adding a couple of singles to the total.
Meanwhile, commentators Atherton and Pollock discuss the lack of reverse swing in ODI cricket, pointing out that the use of two balls prevents them from aging enough to generate movement late in the innings.
Archer Struggles with Wides as South Africa Progresses
After 13 overs, South Africa stands at 69-2, with van der Dussen on 20 and Klaasen on 12. Jofra Archer continues his spell but struggles with control, sending down his eighth wide in seven overs with another wayward delivery down the leg side. Van der Dussen and Klaasen both attempt pulls but find the fielder in the deep. Van der Dussen retains the strike, nudging a slower ball off his pads for a single.
Klaasen Punishes Overton as England Struggles
South Africa reaches 78-2 after 14 overs, with van der Dussen on 21 and Klaasen on 20. Klaasen shows his power, smashing Overton through the covers for four before elegantly flicking another boundary to fine leg. England’s bowlers are struggling while conditions haven’t been easy, their inconsistency on both sides of the wicket has hurt them. Their campaign is slipping away.
Rashid Starts with a Wide but Finds His Rhythm
South Africa moves to 81-2 after 15 overs, with van der Dussen on 22 and Klaasen on 21. Adil Rashid is introduced into the attack but starts with a wide South Africa’s 10th of the innings, not ideal when defending a target under 200. However, the experienced spinner quickly settles in, delivering a quicker, flatter ball that skids low and beats Klaasen’s attempted cut. Two singles elsewhere keep the scoreboard ticking.
Klaasen Unfazed by a Surprise Feline Visitor
South Africa reaches 89-2 after 16 overs, with van der Dussen on 24 and Klaasen on 27. The most unexpected highlight of the game? A black cat occasionally wandering onto the field! Klaasen momentarily steps back as the feline crosses his eyeline, but it doesn’t break his focus. He soon dispatches a glorious cover drive off Overton to the boundary. With four singles added elsewhere, South Africa comfortably takes eight runs from the over, staying well ahead of the required rate of 2.67.
Klaasen Takes the Attack to Rashid
South Africa moves to 95-2 after 17 overs, with van der Dussen on 26 and Klaasen on 31. Rashid, after conceding three singles, flights one up enticingly. Klaasen takes the bait, not quite to the pitch but managing to loft it safely over mid-on’s head. They pick up two runs, and Klaasen smartly keeps the strike with a single to long-off.
Close Call for Van der Dussen
A moment of drama! Van der Dussen survived a run-out review at the non-striker’s end. Klaasen drilled a powerful drive straight back down the pitch, and Overton was certain he got a boot to it before the ball crashed into the stumps. England reviewed, hoping for a breakthrough, but Snicko confirmed there was no contact. A lucky escape for South Africa!
Drama in the 18th Over, But No Wicket
South Africa reaches 97-2 after 18 overs, with Rassie van der Dussen on 27 and Heinrich Klaasen on 32. Their partnership hits the 50-run mark, though it nearly ended in dramatic fashion. Van der Dussen mistimed a pull shot, and Overton was convinced he got a touch on the ball before it ricocheted onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Van der Dussen was well short, and England started celebrating. But after a review, Ultra-Edge (not Snicko—just to clarify!) showed no contact, and the decision was not out. Overton wasn’t happy, but South Africa marches on.
🇿🇦 A well-paced 50+ run partnership between van der Dussen and Klaasen has South Africa at 111/2 after 20 overs 🏏🔥.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 1, 2025
🇿🇦 SA still need 69 runs to win from 30 overs. #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #ChampionsTrophy #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/NiqdHv2uaC
South Africa in Total Command
With Heinrich Klaasen at 34 and Rassie van der Dussen at 30, South Africa is cruising at 102-2 after 19 overs. With five singles in the over without exerting any effort, they are setting the pace. England still has a 1.34% chance of winning, according to WinViz, but at this point, it seems a little too generous!
The Problems of Extras in England
John Starbuck is right to criticize England’s careless bowling; they’ve already hit ten wides. With no extras in the previous five overs, they have shown that they have tightened up a little. But that’s nothing compared to the world record! When Pakistan faced the West Indies in 1989, they bowled an incredible 37 wides in a total of 258-7
Klaasen in Full Flow
Van der Dussen is on 31 and Klaasen is cruising on 42 as South Africa reaches 111-2 after 20 overs. Klaasen’s performance is impressive as he hammers a short-arm jab to the square leg boundary. After Overton corrects his line but miscalculates his length, Klaasen leaps once more and makes a stunning drive between mid-off and cover for another four. He has total authority.
Klaasen Dominates as Archer Returns
Archer returns to the attack with just three overs left in his spell—no point holding him back now. Not that it seems to matter much. Klaasen is in top form, effortlessly punching two back-foot shots through cover for boundaries, bringing up a well-earned half-century. It’s been a fantastic innings from him so far. South Africa cruises along at 120-2.
South Africa in Total Control
Rashid switches ends, but it doesn’t make much of a difference for England. South Africa is in complete control, calmly working three singles without taking any risks. They now need just 57 more to win. England’s chances are slipping fast, with WinViz dropping to a mere 0.45%.
Klaasen in the Zone as South Africa Dominates
South Africa moves to 137-2 after 23 overs, with van der Dussen on 39 and Klaasen dominating on 60. Archer bangs one in short, but Klaasen is all over it, pulling it in front of square for a boundary. He follows it up with a crisp cut shot to deep point—he’s in the zone, and when he’s like this, he’s as dangerous as anyone in world cricket. No fancy footwork, just pure balance and timing. A single hands the strike to van der Dussen, who elegantly flicks one off his hips to fine leg for four. A costly over for Archer, who doesn’t look too happy about it.
Livingstone Gets a Chance with the Ball
Livingstone comes into the attack—why not give him a shot? There’s been plenty of debate in group chats about his future, with some questioning his place in the team. Personally, I’m a fan. Sure, his batting could improve, but he brings a lot to the table. He starts well, too—just two singles from his first over. A solid start.
South Africa in Control at 151-2
South Africa is cruising at 151-2 after 25 overs, with Rassie van der Dussen on 51 and Heinrich Klaasen smashing his way to 62. Van der Dussen looked a bit frustrated, maybe feeling left out as Klaasen did most of the heavy hitting. So he takes matters into his own hands, launching Rashid for a huge six over wide long-on what a shot! A couple of singles later, their partnership hits the 100-run mark, and van der Dussen pulls one for four to bring up his half-century and South Africa’s 150. Pure dominance from the Proteas.