Afghanistan vs South Africa: Proteas record first victory of Cricket World Cup with nine-wicket hammering
Re-live the action below
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.South Africa finally got a World Cup win under their belt as they eased to a nine-wicket triumph over Afghanistan at Sophia Gardens on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a semi-final berth.
Leg spinner Imran Tahir took 4-29 as he engineered an Afghani collapse after a 75-minute rain break as they were dismissed for 125. Chris Morris contributed with figures of 3-13 and Andile Phehlukwayo took two wickets for 18.
The South Africans then set about the slightly adjusted target of 127 from 48 overs in cautious fashion, reaching 131-1 with 19 overs to spare. Re-live the action below:
25.0 Sri Lanka 156-2 Dimuth Karunaratne 82 Kusal Mendis 2
Cummins is brought back into the attack as Finch looks for an injection of pace. Sri Lanka manage just two - one from a wide ball - off the over and Australia are now very much in the ascendancy.
26.0 Sri Lanka 159-2 Dimuth Karunaratne 83 Kusal Mendis 5
Australia, at this stage in their innings, were 120-2, so Sri Lanka are 39 runs ahead as things stand. The question, though, is whether they can accelerate as Finch and Smith did. Karunaratne has been measured since Perera's wicket, but the run rate has dropped significantly and Australia are building pressure.
20.0 Afghanistan 69-2
The rain has cleared and play has resumed in Cardiff. Both teams will now play a maximum of 48 overs due to the delays. Afghanistan, then, have 28 overs to add to their modest score of 69-2. They'll need to speed things up a bit.
20.4 Afghanistan 69-3
WICKET! Hashmatullah (8) b Phehlukwayo c Du Plessis
Hashmatullah gets an edge on a Phehlukwayo delivery and South Africa captain Du Plessis is at wide slip to take an easy catch. Not what Afghanistan wanted immediately following the restart.
28.0 Sri Lanka 168-2 Dimuth Karunaratne 89 Kusal Mendis 7
Sri Lanka take just five from another consistent Behrendorff over. He's improved drastically since an expensive first few overs. Karunaratne is clearly keen to pick things up and get the runs flowing again, but Australia are bowling and fielding well.
21.1 Afghanistan 69-4
WICKET! Zadran (32) b Tahir
Another wicket falls! Afghanistan are in danger of a collapse as South Africa's introduction of spinner Tahir pays off straight away. The 40-year-old brings out a superb googly which beats Zadran all ends up. He goes for a resilient 32.
30.0 Sri Lanka 176-2 Dimuth Karunaratne 95 Kusal Mendis 9
Sri Lanka take just three runs from another steady Maxwell over. Karunaratne edges ever closer to his first ODI century, but the required run rate continues to creep up. Australia will be more than happy to allow Sri Lanka the occasional single.
21.5 Afghanistan 70-5
WICKET! Afghan (0) c&b Tahir
It's safe to say that Afghanistan have well and truly collapsed! The rain delay has clearly done them no good. Afghan is next to go for a duck, edging the ball straight back to Tahir who takes the catch.
22.1 Afghanistan 70-6
WICKET! Nabi (1) b Phehlukwayo
Nabi is next to go for just a solitary run, this time with an inside edge onto the stumps. Afghanistan will do well to get to 100 here.
32.0 Sri Lanka 186-2 Dimuth Karunaratne 97 Kusal Mendis 17
Mendis smashes one down the ground for six! Sri Lanka needed that. They'd taken just 14 runs from the previous 4.5 overs, but that takes some of the mounting pressure off. They now need 149 runs from 108 balls.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments