Champions Trophy: Bowlers, Van der Dussen, and Klaasen Propel South Africa to Group B Victory

Karachi, March 1 (NationPress) Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen each scored fifties while forming a partnership of 127 runs off 122 deliveries, leading South Africa to a seven-wicket victory over England. This victory secured their position as Group B leaders in the 2025 Champions Trophy match held at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Following a stellar performance from pace all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen, who both took three wickets, England was bowled out for a meager 179 runs in just 38.2 overs. Van der Dussen remained unbeaten at 72 off 87 balls, including six fours and three sixes, while Klaasen contributed a brisk 64 off 56 balls, striking 11 boundaries. South Africa completed their chase in 29.1 overs, sealing another clinical win.

Now, South Africa awaits to see if they will face either India or New Zealand in the semifinals. On the other hand, England faced a disappointing exit from the tournament, suffering three losses in their three matches, with Jos Buttler concluding his tenure as captain with this heavy defeat.

In the pursuit of 180 runs, South Africa had a rocky start, with a 10-ball opening over from Jofra Archer that included five wides. However, Archer found success in the third over when Tristan Stubbs was dismissed for a duck. Ryan Rickleton added 27 runs from 25 balls before being bowled by Archer.

Amidst this, van der Dussen struck two fours through powerful punches, while Klaasen joined him in the chase, hitting five boundaries within the first seven overs, including three off Jamie Overton. The duo maintained a steady run rate, with van der Dussen reaching his fifty in just 41 balls.

Klaasen continued his aggressive batting, scoring 14 runs off one over from Archer with a series of boundaries, while van der Dussen also accelerated, hitting a six and a four off Adil Rashid to complete his fifty in 72 balls.

He demonstrated his intent by sending a full toss from Liam Livingstone over the long-on boundary for six, followed by another maximum off Rashid. After surpassing Klaasen's score, van der Dussen struck a four off Livingstone. David Miller ended the chase in style, launching a six off Livingstone, igniting celebrations among the Proteas.

Earlier, England's batting was lackluster, with no player exceeding Joe Root's score of 37 runs. They lost wickets at regular intervals due to South Africa's disciplined bowling.

Despite a hamstring injury forcing stand-in captain Aiden Markram off the field, South Africa remained relentless in their pursuit of victory. Mulder and Jansen excelled with figures of 3-25 and 3-39, respectively, while Keshav Maharaj took two wickets, and both Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada claimed one each.

Jansen made an immediate impact by dismissing Phil Salt in the first over, followed by Jamie Smith in the third over, both falling cheaply. South Africa's bowling attack continued to dismantle England's batting lineup effectively.

Root attempted to shift momentum with a few boundaries, but his dismissal, along with the quick fall of other wickets, led to England's innings ending abruptly with 11.4 overs remaining.

Brief scores:

England: 179 all out in 38.2 overs (Joe Root 37, Jofra Archer 25; Wiaan Mulder 3-25, Marco Jansen 3-39) lost to South Africa: 181/3 in 29.1 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 72 not out, Heinrich Klaasen 64; Jofra Archer 2-55, Adil Rashid 1-37) by seven wickets.