Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi dismissed political calls to boycott Afghanistan’s cricket games in the Champions Trophy after politicians in England and South Africa urged their cricket authorities to forfeit the group games against Afghanistan because of the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport and erosion of women’s rights.

Afghanistan bounced back well after South Africa were in total control of the innings, ensuring that regular wickets meant they didn't bleed too many runs in the latter half of the innings. The Proteas finished on 315/6.