Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Afghanistan vs South Africa: Proteas record first victory of Cricket World Cup with nine-wicket hammering

Re-live the action below

Callum Rice-Coates
Saturday 15 June 2019 13:11 BST
Comments
Cricket World Cup: Five batsmen to watch

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:

14.0 South Africa 57-0 Hashim Amla​ 19 Quinton de Kock​ 37

South Africa take a few more singles off Gulbadin's latest over. They're going to win, and very easily, but it's hardly a batting performance that suggests they're capable of taking the game to better opposition. Amla remains on 19 from 42 balls, a painfully slow rate of scoring.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:03

16.0 South Africa 63-0 Hashim Amla​ 19 Quinton de Kock​ 43

Afghanistan bring off-spinner Nabi into the attack and de Kock takes just the one run from the over. Wickets are what Afghanistan need desperately, though.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:10

17.0 South Africa 73-0 Hashim Amla​ 19 Quinton de Kock​ 53

De Kock brings up his half century with a couple of powerful boundaries off Rashid's fifth over. He's kept things ticking over nicely for South Africa, while Amla has remained mostly at a standstill. He needs to find his touch again.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:14

18.0 South Africa 80-0 Hashim Amla​ 25 Quinton de Kock​ 54

Better from Amla, who plays a nice reverse sweep and collects a few runs from the over. South Africa edge ever closer to the target.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:15

19.0 South Africa 86-0 Hashim Amla​ 26 Quinton de Kock​ 59

De Kock hits a looping pull shot out towards Rahmat Shah, who appears not to be able to see the flight of the ball. He misjudges the bounce and allows it to run through for four. Poor fielding.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:19

20.0 South Africa 91-0 Hashim Amla​ 30 Quinton de Kock​ 60

Twenty overs in and South Africa, thankfully, have upped the tempo. Amla is growing in confidence after a frustratingly slow start. He sweeps the ball cleverly into the gap for four and the Proteas now need just 36 more runs to win.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:23

21.0 South Africa 95-0 Hashim Amla​ 32 Quinton de Kock​ 63

South Africa, after a break for drinks, add another four runs from a well-bowled Gulbadin over. They've clearly got no intention of ending this match with a flurry of big hits.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:31

22.0 South Africa 99-0 Hashim Amla​ 33 Quinton de Kock​ 64

Another over, another four runs. Twenty-eight more needed from 26 overs. It's not exactly tense.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:32

22.3 South Africa 100-0 Hashim Amla​ 34 Quinton de Kock​ 64

Amla knocks a shot to the off side and South Africa bring up 100. A measured, patient partnership between the two openers.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:34

22.5 South Africa 104-1

WICKET! De Kock (68) b Gulbadin c Nabi

De Kock hits a nice shot to square leg for four and from the next delivery picks out Nabi at mid-wicket. It's a good catch, and brings to an end a strong innings from de Kock.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 19:35

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in