ISLAMABAD: South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets to earn an additional 2 points in the ICC contest played at Ahmedabad, India on Friday. Despite a strong innings of 97 by Afghanistan’s middle-order batsman Azmatullah Omarzai, taking Afghanistan to 244, South Africa managed to reach the target in the 48th over and won the match.
Chasing a target of 245 for victory, South African openers Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma made a decent start, bringing the score to 60 in the first 10 overs. In the 11th over, Mujeeb dismissed Bavuma for 23. Two overs later, Afghanistan secured their second wicket when Muhammad Nabi dismissed the in-form Quinton de Kock for 41.
Both openers were replaced by Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram, who pushed the scoreboard to 116 by the 23rd over. In the next over, Rashid achieved a breakthrough and removed Markram for 25. Markram was replaced by Klassen, who, along with van der Dussen, pushed the scoreboard ahead. However, in the 28th over, Rashid struck again, clean-bowling Heinrich Klaasen for 10. At that stage, South Africa was 139 for 4, still needing 106 runs to win in 22.3 overs. Klaasen was replaced by David Miller, who, along with Dussen, drove the team towards the target. David Miller contributed 24 runs before being bowled by Muhammad Nabi.
When Andile Phehklulwayo came in as the No. 7 with South Africa needing 63, he stayed on the pitch, maintaining his composure alongside the set batsman Rassie van der Dussen, who played an unbeaten innings of 76 runs, courtesy of seven boundaries. Phehlukwayo’s crucial knock of 39 off 37, including three sixes, deserves recognition. From Afghanistan, Rashid Khan and Muhammad Nabi got two wickets each, while Mujeeb secured one wicket.
Afghanistan Batting
Earlier winning the toss Afghanistan decided to bat first. Both the openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took a steady start and drove the innings to 40 in 8 overs. In the 9th over Maharaj dismissed Gurbaz on 25. In the next over the other opener Ibrahim Zadran was also removed by Coetzee on 15. Afghanistan lost the 3rd wicket very soon when the skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi got out on just 2 runs. After losing 3 wickets on 45 Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai managed to stay on the creased and added 49 runs partnership for the side. However, in the 24 over, when the total reached 94 Rehmat Shah was dismissed on 26.
After the dismissal of Rehmat Shah Afghanistan lost some more quick wickets and became under pressure. However, Omarzai secured one hand and completed hi half century. while from the other hand Ikram Alikhil, Muhammad Nabi and Rashid Khan added few runs after dismissed by the protest pace and spin attack.
Meanwhile when the score reached 204 for 7 in the 38th over number 9 batter Noor Ahmad stayed on the crease with Omarzai. Both contributed 44 crucial runs partnership for the team. After Noor Ahmad who scored 26, no other batter from the lower order managed to stay on the crease for long. However, Omarzai batted till end of the game and knocked a terrific inning of 97 runs on 107 balls. His innings included 3 sixes and 7 fours. Afghanistan were all out on 244 in 50 overs.
From South Africa Gerald Coetzee was the most successful bowlers taking 4 for 44 in his 10 over spill. Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi grabbed 2 wickets each while Andile Phehlukwayo got one wicket.
South Africa Team: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Afghanistan Team: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq
