Afghanistan vs South Africa: Proteas record first victory of Cricket World Cup with nine-wicket hammering
Re-live the action below
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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:
23.0 South Africa 104-1 Hashim Amla 34 Andile Phehlukwayo 0
South Africa have promoted Andile Phehlukwayo to bat at three. An unorthodox move, perhaps, but he tends to score his runs relatively quickly. Faf du Plessis clearly wants to finish this game in the next few overs.
24.0 South Africa 106-1 Hashim Amla 35 Andile Phehlukwayo 0
South Africa take two from a Rashid over and Amla moves onto 35 from 69 balls.
25.0 South Africa 108-1 Hashim Amla 36 Andile Phehlukwayo 1
Phehlukwayo has never batted higher than No.7 in ODIs, which makes his inclusion at No.3 slightly baffling. So far, he's not come close to a boundary, instead struggling to adjust to Afghanistan's spin.
25.1 South Africa 112-1 Hashim Amla 36 Andile Phehlukwayo 5
Finally, Phehlukwayo hits one for four. It's a well-timed sweep shot which breaks the seemingly endless cycle of defensive shots and sporadic singles.
26.0 South Africa 118-1 Hashim Amla 37 Andile Phehlukwayo 10
Phehlukwayo ends the over with another four runs and South Africa move to within nine runs of victory.
27.0 South Africa 121-1 Hashim Amla 39 Andile Phehlukwayo 11
Phehlukwayo has, at least, tried to hit some shots since coming in. Six more runs needed. Perhaps Amla will smash one into the stands? Thirty-nine off 80 balls suggests not.
28.0 South Africa 124-1 Hashim Amla 40 Andile Phehlukwayo 11
Aftab does well to prevent Phehlukwayo scoring the required runs to end the game. We'll have another over. Three more needed.
South Africa win by 9 wickets
Phehlukwayo smashes a six down the ground to win it for South Africa! After a laboured, cautious innings, there is at least some entertainment for the spectators to finish. An easy win in the end for South Africa, and their first two points of the tournament.
South Africa will be pleased, in the end, just to have secured their first win. It wasn't a devastating batting performance, and Amla took what felt like half a century to get close to a half century. But victory was essential.
Next up for South Africa: an in-form New Zealand team at Edgbaston. Afghanistan, meanwhile, face the daunting prospect of a game against England at Old Trafford.
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