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:
9.0 Sri Lanka 79-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 43 Kusal Perera 35
Perera flicks the final ball of another expensive Behrendorff over past short fine leg for four. Australia are haemorrhaging runs at an alarming rate here.
9.3 Sri Lanka 86-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 44 Kusal Perera 41
Four more! The ball is taking a battering from Sri Lanka's openers. Perera edges moves closer to a half century with a powerful slog over mid-witcket.
9.4 Sri Lanka 86-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 44 Kusal Perera 41
Australia review!
Perera pushes his bat towards the ball and Richardson thinks he's been caught behind. Australia choose to review the original decision of not out, but there's no outside edge.
11.0 Sri Lanka 91-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 46 Kusal Perera 43
A welcome over from Glenn Maxwell, who's brought into the attack in an attempt to change things up. The off-spinner restricts Sri Lanka to just four runs.
11.5 Sri Lanka 98-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 50 Kusal Perera 46
Karunaratne smacks a short ball from Richardson to the boundary and brings up a brilliant half century. It's taken him 43 balls to get there and he's treated the spectators to some brilliant strokes.
12.3 Sri Lanka 99-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 50 Kusal Perera 47
Maxwell thinks he's got Karunaratne lbw but the umpire isn't interested. Australia can't review it, and replays show it would have been out had they been able to. More frustration for Australia.
13.0 Sri Lanka 103-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 52 Kusal Perera 48
Sri Lanka bring up 100 after just 13 overs at a run rate of almost eight an over. From huge outsiders, they're now in a strong position to chase down Australia's 334. Breaking this opening partnership is crucial for the Australians.
20.0 Afghanistan 69-2 Hashmatullah 8 Zadran 32
Rain has stopped play again in Cardiff. Afghanistan are trudging along at a snails pace - the opposite of Sri Lanka at The Oval - but Zadran is proving obdurate. South Africa will be desperate for the clouds to clear so they can win their first game of the tournament.
15.0 Sri Lanka 112-0 Dimuth Karunaratne 58 Kusal Perera 52
Perera brings up his 50 for Sri Lanka and it hasn't taken him long to do it. This excellent partnership continues.
15.3 Sri Lanka 115-1
WICKET! Perera (52) b Starc
Starc ruins the fun for the vocal Sri Lanka fans in the crowd. Perera, who was motoring along at an impressive strike rate, swings and misses, and Starc's delivery takes out middle stump. Australia finally have the breakthrough!
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