- South Africa defeated England after bowling them out for 179 in Karachi.
- Marco Jansen’s three-wicket powerplay spell dismantled England’s top order.
- Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes ended as England failed to secure a massive win.
South Africa delivered a commanding performance against England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, securing their place in the semi-finals.
Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes depended on England pulling off a massive victory, but that dream faded quickly with England’s underwhelming performance.
England Crumble As South Africa March Into The Semi-Finals
Despite winning the toss and opting to bat, England struggled against South Africa’s relentless bowling attack. Marco Jansen’s fiery spell in the powerplay set the tone, dismissing key English batters early. Jofra Archer and Liam Livingstone showed brief resistance, but the innings never gained momentum.
South Africa, playing under stand-in skipper Aiden Markram after Temba Bavuma was sidelined due to illness, demonstrated tactical superiority. Their bowlers exploited the Karachi pitch conditions expertly, preventing England from staging any fightback.
This defeat marks the end of Jos Buttler’s tenure as England’s ODI captain, capping off a difficult period for the team. England’s poor form in the Champions Trophy, coupled with their struggles against India earlier, has raised questions about the team’s direction ahead of the next ODI cycle.
With the semi-finals now confirmed, South Africa will be eager to build on their dominant performance. Their balanced squad, featuring experienced campaigners and young stars, positions them as strong contenders for the title.
South Africa’s triumph wasn’t just about skill—it was about seizing the moment. England faltered early, and the Proteas capitalized, proving why they are among the tournament‘s favorites. As they march into the semi-finals, their focus will be on refining their game further for the challenges ahead.
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King
