South Africa vs Afghanistan highlights, ICC World Cup 2023: Van der Dussen stars as SA beats AFG by five wickets

It wasn’t an easy change even if the scoreline says South Africa wins by five wickets and 15 balls to spare. Afghanistan spinners gave it their all and kept South African batters on the backfoot. Van der Dussen (76) made sure that one end was shut down. Good contributions from Miller and Phehlukwayo in the end to finish the game.

Afghanistan has been officially knocked out of the tournament.

Phehlukwayo has finished things off in just three ball of Naveen Ul Haq. South Africa wins the match by five wickets with 15 balls to spare.

Phehlukwayo is giving good support to van der Dussen as South Africa inches closer to victory.

SA 231/5 in 47 overs

South Africa wins.

South Africa needs 33 runs from 30 balls. Rashid Khan is done with his overs now. You would think van der Dussen was waiting for his overs to finish. Let’s see how the next five overs unfold. Van der Dussen on 68 off 89 balls.

SA 212/5 in 45 overs

South Africa needs 47 from 48 balls. Mohammad Nabi is done with his overs, Rashid has one left. Van der Dussen playing at 63.

SA 198/5 in 42 overs

South Africa needs 53 runs from 60 balls. Van der Dussen on 60. Can he do it? We’ll get to know shortly.

Nabi is back into the attack and he immediately strikes. Miller is gone for 24! An easy caught and bowled dismissal. South Africa has lost half its side and we have entered the tale with Phehlukwayo the new batter.

SA 184/5 in 38 overs

Rassie van der Dussen scores fifty in 66 balls and keeps South Africa going in the runchase. Still a long way to go for South Africa though.

SA 175/4 in 35 overs

A lot of calmness as van der Dussen and Miller rebuild the South African innings. Afghanistan spinners doing their best to keep things tight but the singles are on offer and the batters are taking them easily.

SA 162/4 in 33 overs

The scoring rate has been down but South Africa has crossed the 150-run mark. Spinners aren’t making it easy for the batters.

SA 151/4 in 31 overs

Rashid bowls on the length, gets the ball to straighten up and Klaasen, on backfoot, misses the cut shot and the ball crashes into the off stump. Four down South Africa. David Miller is the new man in.

SA 140/4 in 28 overs

South Africa isn’t in the most comfortable position right now in the runchase. Even though the target seems to be within reach but the Afghanistan spinners, especially Rashid Khan, aren’t making it easy. Heinrich Klaasen and van der Dussen at the crease taking their time.

SA 134/3 in 26 overs

Rashid Khan gets his first wicket as Markram tried to take the aerial route off a short delivery but miscues it and gives it to Naveen Ul Haq. Two identical fours for van der Dussen! He gets two outside edges that missed Nabi at slip by whisker! Lucky

Markram c Naveen b Rashid 25 (32b 1x4 1x6) SR: 78.12

South Africa is closing in on 100 as van der Dussen and Markram are stitching up a much-needed partnership. The Proteas are now 99 with the partnership now worth 34. And just as we speak, van der Dussen takes South Africa to 100 with a single off Noor

Nabi gets de Kock on his first ball of the next over! Superb move to go upstairs for DRS! De Kock tried to sweep one that turned into him and missed, the umpire initially said no but after DRS, the ball tracker showed the balls hitting middle and leg! Aiden Markram is in at four

De Kock lbw b Nabi 41 (47b 2x4 3x6) SR: 87.23

BAVUMA PERISHES AS MUJEEB STRIKES! Bavuma tried to loft a short ball for a six but can only manage to find the fielder at deep square leg. Rassie Van Der Dussen is in at three. Nabi comes in to bowl the next and that’s a maiden

Bavuma c Gurbaz b Mujeeb 23 (28b 3x4) SR: 82.14

De Kock and Bavuma put on a 50-run unbeaten partnership for the opening wicket as the former takes a single off Azmatullah’s delivery

The openers - De Kock and Bavuma- are taking things slow here and have had a pretty good start to the chase. Their partnership is now worth 49 in 9 overs

De Kock survives Noor Ahmed’s direct hit. Bavuma looked to sneak a single after flicking it towards square leg. Had de Kock been a faction short, he would’ve had to walk back.

Mohammad Nabi is introduced. Outside off and it’s tossed up, de Kock has a go at it and it takes an edge and runs away for a FOUR

After a quiet one-run over from Naveen Ul haq, the runs start to flow again. De Kock uses his feet, comes down the track and lofts one flighted delivery of Mujeeb for a SIX

After a team huddle, Afghanistan players make their way into the middle with De Kock and Temba Bavuma opening the innings for South Africa. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will bowl the first over. Five runs came from the first over including a four off de Kock’s bat

With hopes of qualifying for the World Cup knockouts over, there was not much for the Afghans to look forward to today at the Narendra Modi Stadium, but the 50-odd dedicated fans were there to back the Afghan Atalan.

ODI World Cup: Semifinal hopes over for Afghanistan but the ‘Atalan’ have made fans proud

Afghanistan has been the surprise package of the tournament so far, managing to achieve four wins, including three previous World Cup champion sides in England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 97 and took Afghanistan to 244 in the first innings. A terrific knock when Afghanistan was struggling at 112/5 at one stage. Good little contributions by Rashid Khan (14 and adding 44 for the seventh wicket) and Noor Ahmed (26).

Gerald Coetzee was the wrecker-in-chief for South Africa with his four wickets.

Omarzai scores the highest score by a number five batter (97*) for Afghanistan in ODIs but more importantly takes his team to 244/10. An outstanding innings and has given Afghanistan bowlers a chance to have a go.

Mujeeb goes for a wild slog off a length ball but hits it straight to mid-on fielder. Gerald Coetzee picks his fourth wicket of the match. Afghanistan is nine down now.

Naveen-ul-Haq is the new batter at the crease.

AFG 226/9 in 48 overs

Noor Ahmed after contributing 26 runs from 32 balls departs as he edges straight to de Kock. A good knock this by Noor.

AFG 204/8 in 46 overs

Omarzai and Noor Ahmed have increased the scoring rate in the last two overs. 250 certainly looks like an achievable score now. The partnership between these two now is 35 runs in 37 balls.

AFG 195/7 in 44 overs

Azmatullah Omarzai is there at the crease playing at 61. With three wickets left and nine overs to go, how many can Afghanistan make from here? It depends on how Omarzai finishes this innings. Interesting overs coming.

AFG 176/7 in 41 overs

Afghanistan loses its seventh wicket. Rashid Khan is out after scoring 14 off 30 balls. Andile Phehlukwayo gets his first wicket of the game as he induces an edge off Rashid’s bat to keeper.

AFG 160/7 in 38 overs

Azmatullah Omarzai reaches his fifty in 71 balls. He along with Rashid has rebuild Afghanistan’s innings. If the score reaches more than 230, it will be good enough for the bowlers to make a game out of this.

Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai have played a few shots here and there and found the fence as well. The partnership is now 27 runs off 26 balls. Omarzai is closing in on his fifty as well.

AFG 143/6 in 32 overs

Afghanistan loses its sixth wicket. Mohammad Nabi is gone for just two. Ngidi gets his second. He beat Nabi on length but there was no real excitement from the bowler but captain Bavuma reviewed it within five seconds! And there it was, a slight edge and enough for umpire to change his decision.

AFG 116/6 in 28 overs

Gerald Coetzee gets Ikram Alikhil edging straight to the keeper to get his second wicket. Afghanistan loses its fifth wicket now. New batter Mohammad Nabi is welcomed with a yorker but he plays it well and gets off the mark with a single.

AFG 113/5 in 27 overs

Ngidi is back into the attack. AND HE GETS THE BREAK THROUGH! Rahmat walks back! Outside off and back of the length delivery from Ngidi, Rahmat looked to loft it through point region but doesn’t get the required elevation as it goes directly to David Miller, who fumbles at first but completes the catch in the end. Ikram Alikhil is in at six

Followed by a four from Ikram, Afghanistan reaches 100 with a single off the following ball. A laborious path to 100

WHAT A MISS! Phehlukwayo’s complacency leads to an extremely easy run out chance going to waste. Mixup between Azmat and Rahmat, the latter was halfway through the pitch but was sent back, the bowler had all the time in the world to run towards the stumps and uproot it but he decided to throw it but that just wasn’t enough!

Slightly overpitched and full from Markram and Azmat smacks it over mid off for a SIX! A much needed change of momentum for Afghanistan

South Africa has restricted the run flow quite a bit considering the fact that the last boundary came in the eighth over. Picking both the openers in consecutive overs has done the trick for South Africa.

Just as we speak, with Markram into the attack, Rahmat uses his feet, gives himself room and slaps one through the covers for a FOUR

Maharaj picks up another one! Shahidi has to walk back. This one was slightly outside off and straight with an extra bit of bounce, Shahidi tried to cut it late but knicks it to de Kock who took a sharp catch! Azmatullah Omarzar is in at five. Afghanistan reaches 50 as Rahmat gets a double. Time for drinks as Afghanistan is struggling at 53/3 in 14 overs

Shahidi c de Kock b Maharaj 2 (7)

Coetzee gets the big fish! Soft dismissal! A seamed up short delivery that was peppered down the legside, Zadran tried to pull it but misses and the ball is deflected off his gloves for De Kock to complete an easy catch behind the stumps! Both openers gone for Afghanistan and that’s a rarity. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is in at four and is standing alongside Rahmat Shah. In the last 12 deliveries Afghanistan has lost 2 wickets without a single run being scored!

Zadran c de Kock b Coetzee 15 (30b 3x4 0x6) SR: 50

KESHAV MAHARAJ STRIKES IN HIS FIRST DELIVERY OF THE MATCH! That drifted away from Gurbaz, who tried a front footed defense but it took an outside knick and Klaasen completed a clean catch at slip. A wicket maiden from Maharaj

Gurbaz c Klaasen b Maharaj 25 (22b 3x4 1x6) SR: 113.63

Two fours from Gurbaz off Coetzee’s over. One with a pull on the legside and another one off a short delivery with a cut through point fielders. Meanwhlile, the outfield issues continue as Phehlukwayo’s boundary line stop attempt is hindered by patchy grass

An early setback, not for Afghanistan but for South Africa as Ngidi is having issues in his ankle area. He’s clenching his achilles tendon, indicating an issue in that area. The physio is running in to attend the bowler. Aiden Markram will complete the over as Ngidi is taken off the field, things not looking good for the South African

On the up and a hint of inswing from Rabada, Gurbaz stands and delivers a SIX over long on! Afghanistan is off to a sedate start, 24 without a loss of wicket in five overs

Lungi Ngidi will bowl the second. A dot to start the over. Slightly outside off, Zadran swings and misses, dot. Length delivery and a scramble seam delivery, Zadran gets into position and smacks it through covers for a FOUR! He’s dealing in boundaries. On the stump line and Zadran flicks it on the legside for a double. Two slips still in place for Zadran and he ends the over with a backfoot defense, dot

Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will open with the bat for Afghanistan while Kagiso Rabada will bowl the first over.

Wonderful ball to start off with, a back of the length delivery that was brought into Gurbaz and zipped past his chest, dot. On the up, Gurbaz checks his cover drive and the ball was in the air for a while but has enough to clear the infield and over skipper Bavuma, first runs on the board for Afghanistan. Overpitched for Zadran and he slots it through covers for a FOUR, he continues where he left off last game. A quick single to end the over

The players have walked into the field for the national anthems and Afghanistan’s anthem plays first followed by South Africa.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq

Afghanistan has won the toss and Shahidi has decided to bat first. No change in the Afghanistan playing 11. Huge toss for Afghanistan to win because if they had been forced to bowl first, they would’ve been out of the tournament. Now they have a feeble chance to make it to top four

Temba Bavuma says Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen are rested. Andile Phehlukwayo and Gerald Coetzee are the replacements

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq

“Right now, there are too many leagues, too many T20 cricket. I think amid that, 50 overs and Test cricket is more important,” Afghanistan captain Hasmatullah Shahidi said.

Read more about what he said here

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ICC World Cup 2023: Afghanistan captain Shahidi bats for more ODIs

Since August 2021, Afghanistan has featured in 31 ODIs, of which it lost 15 and one had no result. Around the same time, India featured in 53 ODIs, while Australia’s tally was 36.

Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Heinrich Klaasen

Batters: Rassie van der Dussen, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran

All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Azmatullah Omarzai,

Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan

Composition: SA 6:5 AFG | Credits left: 5.5

One time. In the 2019 World Cup. South Africa defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets, chasing a modest target of 126 runs.

Mathematically yes. But theory can only take you so far.

Here’s what the theory suggests. Can Afghanistan actually pull this off?

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How can Afghanistan qualify for the semifinal of ODI World Cup 2023?

Afghanistan next faces South Africa in its last league stage encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with an uphill task of making the top four.

The 42nd match of the ICC World Cup between South Africa and Afghanistan will be telecasted live on Star Sports network and streamed on Disney+Hotstar. The match is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM IST.

The Afghanistan cricketers and support staff spent their entire Thursday afternoon living on hope and a prayer.

They had to address a sponsored event, but the eyes of the entourage frequently darted towards their smartphone screens to find out about the scores of the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka World Cup fixture in Bengaluru.

By the time it reached the Narendra Modi Stadium for their optional training session on the eve of the last group league fixture against South Africa, Afghanistan’s hopes were dented further.

With New Zealand pulling off a convincing win against Sri Lanka and inching closer to the semifinals, in all practicality, the campaign seems over for the Afghans.

Even though, mathematically, there are some vague chances, Afghanistan’s net run rate of -0.338 is the worst among the three teams - New Zealand, Pakistan being the other two - vying for the fourth slot in the semifinals.

Afghanistan has racked up four wins - including the ones against England and Pakistan - and as captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stated, it would be hoping to make a strong statement against South Africa, which has already reached the semifinals.

The Afghans need to pick themselves up from the improbable defeat against Australia and put up a spirited performance. The batters - Ibrahim Zadran, Shahidi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz - have all been impressive in the tournament, but a lot lies on the spinners.

Rashid Khan, familiar with the venue as he plays for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, needs to play a significant role. So far in the tournament, Rashid hasn’t been in his element and has struggled to find breakthroughs.

South Africa, too, is keen on bouncing back after a humiliating defeat against India. Captain Temba Bavuma, who has just scored 122 in six outings, hasn’t been able to contribute significantly.

Ahead of the knockouts, he needs to find form. However, Quinton de Kock has piled on the runs in his swansong, while Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram, too, have stepped up. Keshav Maharaj has been its go-to-bowler in the middle-overs, but it needs to be seen whether South Africa opts for an extra spin option of Tabraiz Shamsi.

- Shayan Acharya