Afghanistan have been eradicated within the race for the semi-finals.
They weren’t flashy about it, however South Africa earned one other confidence enhance on Friday after beating large slayers Afghanistan by 5 wickets of their final round-robin match on the Cricket World Cup.
While that they had already booked their place in subsequent week’s semi-finals, the Proteas made positive with a gentle all-round effort in Ahmedabad in a tightly contested battle, choosing up their seventh win from 9 matches within the opening spherical.
Afghanistan, in the meantime, have been dumped out of the competitors, lacking out on a spot within the playoffs after delivering breakthrough outcomes all through the match.
Chasing 245 to win, the Proteas chipped away at their goal, led by a affected person knock from top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen.
He contributed 76 off 95 balls, combining in a key stand with all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo for the sixth wicket.
Playing his first match of the match (and giving in-form all-rounder Marco Jansen a break) Phehlukwayo stood up with 39 not out, going through 46 deliveries in an unbroken 65-run partnership with Van der Dussen because the Proteas reached 247/5 with 15 balls to spare.
Afghanistan innings
Earlier, although they needed to deal with a gutsy combat from all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, the South Africans managed to limit Afghanistan to 244 runs.
The Proteas’ frontline assault had their opponents on the again foot at 116/6 within the twenty eighth over after Afghanistan gained the toss and selected to bat.
Omarzai caught his heels in, nonetheless, and saved the tail wagging with an unbeaten ODI profession greatest. He hit 97 not out off 107 balls to hold his facet, falling simply three runs wanting his maiden century in any format at skilled stage.
Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee spearheaded the Proteas assault, returning 4/44, whereas spinner Keshav Maharaj additionally bowled properly to take 2/25 from his 10 overs.
“There are maybe one or two things we can tweak, but we’re happy with how the run-chase went,” stated Van der Dussen, the Man of the Match.
South Africa will face Australia within the penultimate spherical of the global showpiece on Thursday.
Source link
