SA vs AFG, World Cup 2023: South Africa secure nervy win as Afghanistan’s heroic campaign comes to an end
Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo held their nerves in an unbeaten 65-run stand to help South Africa secure a five-wicket win as Afghanistan’s dream World Cup 2023 campaign came to an end in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Chasing 245, South Africa completed the win with Van der Dussen remaining unbeaten on 76 off 95 balls. Andile Phehlukwayo was unbeaten on 37 off 39 balls after a match-winning partnership of 65 runs with Van der Dussen.
South Africa have 14 points from nine games, two more than Australia, which plays Bangladesh on Saturday. Both South Africa and Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals. Afghanistan closed off their best-ever World Cup campaign with four wins and also won a berth in the Champions Trophy.
Quinton de Kock (41 off 47 balls) went past Rachin Ravindra as the highest run-getter in World Cup 2023 during his 65-run opening stand with captain Temba Bavuma. Bavuma’s (23 off 28) poor run continued as he was dismissed by Mujeeb ur Rahman. De Kock also could not go on to make a big one as he was adjudged trapped in front of the wicket by Mohammad Nabi, who chose to review after failing to convince the on-field umpire.
Aiden Markram (25 off 32) also gave up his wicket after making a good start, while Heinrich Klaasen was caught by Rashid Khan, a well-deserved reward for some brilliant bowling, as South Africa dropped to 139 for four in the 28th over. A 43-run partnership followed when Nabi dismissed David Miller (24 off 33) with an easy dismissal, leaving Van van Dussen to finish the job.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals were all but extinguished when they were bowled out for 244 against South Africa. Opting to bat first in Ahmedabad, Afghanistan found themselves in a precarious position at 116 for 6. However, a resilient and unbeaten 97 from Azmatullah Omarzai helped them post a competitive total, although it fell short of the substantial victory margin needed for their slim chances.
South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee took four wickets, and spinner Keshav Maharaj impressed with figures of 2-25 as the Proteas geared up for their semi-final clash against Australia. Quinton de Kock played a crucial role with six wicketkeeping dismissals, equaling the World Cup record set by Australia’s Adam Gilchrist (against Namibia in 2003) and Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed (against South Africa in 2015).
Despite an aggressive start from openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan faced setbacks. Maharaj’s first-ball strike removed Gurbaz for 25, and Coetzee dismissed Ibrahim in the next over. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi fell to Maharaj, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 45-3. Rahmat Shah’s 26-run partnership with Azmatullah was disrupted by fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, but Azmatullah displayed resilience. Despite the risk of being bowled out in under 50 overs, he anchored crucial partnerships with Rashid Khan (14) and Noor Ahmad (26).
While Azmatullah came close to achieving his ODI best, narrowly missing a century, his efforts were marred by a run-out in the final over, concluding with just a single run. Afghanistan’s dreams of securing a spot in the final four were shattered following a heart-wrenching defeat to Australia, compounded by New Zealand’s triumph over Sri Lanka. With a negative run rate, their prospects of advancing to the semi-finals seemed dim.