South African opener and wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton scored a strong century during Proteas' first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they are facing tournament debutant Afghanistan at the National Stadium in Karachi.

South African skipper Tamba Bavuma chose to bat first after winning the toss in their tournament opening match, while the in-form Heinrich Klaasen missed out due to injury. Opener Ryan Rickelton provided a solid start, despite his opening partner Tony de Zorzi's (11) early dismissal and skipper Bavuma's cautious start. Rickelton's solid and a little aggressive nature unrested Afghan bowlers. 

Rickelton had a 129-run partnership with the skipper Bavuma for the second wicket, where the captain scored 58 runs before losing his wicket. The 28-year-old left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Rickelton completed his 50 runs in 48 balls and continued his solid batting performance. With the help of seven fours and one six, the left-handed batter completed his maiden ODI hundred, which came in his seventh ODI innings. After scoring 103 off 106 balls, Rickelton was run out. 

See Also: Rohit Sharma Sets New Record with 100 Wins as Captain

Ryan Rickelton: First South African wicketkeeper-batter recorded a century in the ICC Champions Trophy

While Rickelton became the fifth South African batter to record a century in ICC Champions Trophy history, he was the first wicketkeeper-batter from South Africa to record a century in this tournament. The previous record in this tournament for a Proteas wicketkeeper-batter was 70 by AB de Villiers against India in Cardiff in 2013. Apart from Herschelle Gibbs, who hit three centuries in this tournament, all other four South African batters have recorded one century each in this competition.

South African batters with centuries in the ICC Champions Trophy