South Africa vs Afghanistan Match Highlights & Results

Right then! That is it from this match. Final double-header coming up in the World Cup. On the 11th of this month, Australia will take on Bangladesh and later, England will face Pakistan. Join us at 10.30 am IST (5 am GMT) and earlier for all the action. Cheers!

Hashmatullah Shahidi says that he is quite happy with the performance of his team throughout the tournament. Adds that they fought till the end and there were a lot of good matches and a lot to learn as well. Tells that he is proud that their batters contributed massively in this World Cup as before this tournament, they were struggling a bit. Mentions that they already had a good bowling attack and now with the batters also stepping up, they will be a strong side in the near future. Says that they gave a good message to the world in this World Cup as they played against big teams and fought hard. Further adds that in the Australia game also, it was in their hands but it was a shock for them especially for him the way Maxwell batted. Ends by saying they are taking a lot of learnings.

Temba Bavuma says his leg is sore but hopes to be fine. Adds he had the option to come off but he wanted to be out there and lead the team. It was a bit risky but he wanted to be out there. Reckons winnings is their habit and want to carry on the momentum. Mentions chasing will give them a lot of confidence. Says Rassie van der Dussen took the ownership and was a fantastic knock. Tells the wicket got better, when Keshav Maharaj came for the second spell, the ball wasn't turning much. Shares they want to play here again but there is a big hurdle first in Kolkata and they will shift their focus now.

Rassie van der Dussen wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD. He says that they were happy chasing here as they would have bowled first as well. Adds that they knew that the Afghans have a good spin attack and they wanted to challenge themselves. Tells that while chasing someone has to play that anchor role and they had great start with Bavuma and De Kock which allowed him to assess the situation. Mentions that he was happy to play that role and is happy that they got over the line. Says that they have been 50-50 while chasing and that is an area they hope to improve and they wanted to put themselves in this situation in this game. Further adds that they have taken a lot of learnings from the last two games. Ends by saying that the pitch in Kolkata was a lot drier and lower as well and they know what to expect. He hopes that if they get back here in the final, they put on a similar performance.

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It is the same old story for Afghanistan who just like against Australia, they have failed to close the game on a positive note. They were in such a good position with spinners bowling from both ends and keeping it tight but just one loose over in between was taking the pressure off. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan were just superb but South Africa somehow found runs. Afghanistan though were clearly 15-20 runs short. That ends the journey for Afghanistan who finish sixth for now.

South Africa were chasing a par total but it wasn't easy with so many spinners and the pitch assisting them. The openers scored easily against the seamers but once the like of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi were introduced, things started to happen. Wickets started to fall but Rassie van der Dussen locked himself at one end. The middle order got a start but fell and it was Andile Phehlukwayo who got up for the job. Playing his first game of the season, Andile Phehlukwayo was struggling but hanged in there along with Rassie van der Dussen to take his team over the line.

Sensible cricket from South Africa. A well matured knock from Rassie van der Dussen who has shown time after time why an anchoring role is important in this format. Job well done by South Africa and they head into the semi-finals with a win on their back.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, Six!SIX! GAME SET MATCH! Andile Phehlukwayo finishes things off in style! Naveen-ul-Haq pitches this on up again and around middle, in the slot, Andile Phehlukwayo backs away a bit and heaves it over the deep square leg fence for another maximum. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 5 WICKETS!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, Four!FOUR! A boundary now as well! Naveen-ul-Haq serves this full and around off, Andile Phehlukwayo clears his front leg away and smacks it wide of mid off for four more runs. South Africa one shot away from the win now!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, Six!SIX! Phehlukwayo is in a hurry now. This is short and on middle, Phehlukwayo pulls and pulls it well over square leg for a biggie. Just 8 runs needed now.  Also, the 50-run partnership comes up between these two batters.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, 2 runs.TWO MORE! 9 runs of this over as well. Full and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen turns it through square leg for a couple. Pushes for the second really hard.

Noor Ahmad to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.A bit short on off and Phehlukwayo pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Andile Phehlukwayo, Wide!Wide! Bowls it too full and too wide outside the line. Left alone for a wide.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Outside off, this is hit through covers for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, 2 runs.TWO RUNS! Tossed up on off. Rassie van der Dussen drops it through point with soft hands and takes a couple.

Noor Ahmad to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.Touch short and on off, Phehlukwayo pulls it to long on for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Around off, this is pulled to long on for a single. Singles won't hurt South Africa much.

Noor Ahmad is back on. He has conceded 40 runs in his eight overs.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.10 runs off the over. Full and on off, this is pushed to mid off for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.Length and on top of off, this is slapped to covers for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, Six!SIX! Much needed for Phehlukwayo! How important is that hit? This is full and on off, Phehlukwayo swings and tonks it flat over long off for a biggie.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Shorter and around off, Rassie van der Dussen waits and dabs it to third man for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.Goes full, slow and on off, Phehlukwayo looks to heave but inside edges it onto the pads. It rolls to mid-wicket for a quick single. Phehlukwayo is struggling to time but somehow is doing his job.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Short and on off, Phehlukwayo punches it to cover.

Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.Short and outside off, Andile Phehlukwayo cuts it through point for one. Rashid Khan finishes his spell with great figures of (10-1-37-2).

Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo, Wide!Flatter, short but down the leg side, Andile Phehlukwayo leaves it alone. Wided.

Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Fires this one full and on middle, turning in, Andile Phehlukwayo manages to get his bat down and tucks it towards short mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Short again and around off, turns away, Andile Phehlukwayo punches it towards short covers.

Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Flatter, full and on middle, Andile Phehlukwayo stays back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.A googly, short and on off, turns away, Andile Phehlukwayo moves back and knocks it down the pitch.

Rashid Khan to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Quicker, short and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen swats it towards long on for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Fullish and on off, slower too, Andile Phehlukwayo drives it straight to short covers.

Change.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, Wide!Length again but down the leg side, Andile Phehlukwayo misses his glance. Wided.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Another slower one, on a length and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen nudges it towards long on for one.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.This is pitched up and on middle, angling in, Andile Phehlukwayo drills it towards long on for a run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.A slower one, full and on off, Andile Phehlukwayo pushes it towards short covers.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andile Phehlukwayo, 2 runs.DROPPED! A good effort though! This is a bit fuller and around leg, Andile Phehlukwayo looks to flick but gets a leading edge as the ball goes in the air behind mid on where Hashmatullah Shahidi runs backward and puts in a dive, gets a fingertip to it but fails to hold onto it. Two runs taken.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Back of a length and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen dabs it through point for a single.

Finally, some pace to see. Naveen-ul-Haq is into the attack.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Quicker, short and around leg, Rassie van der Dussen flicks it through square leg for one.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Flighted, full and on off, Rassie van der Dussen drives it straight to short covers.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.Short again and around leg, Andile Phehlukwayo nudges it through square leg for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andile Phehlukwayo, 2 runs.Goes short and around off, Andile Phehlukwayo pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets a second warning as he steps into the danger area again. Also, 200 up for South Africa!

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.In the air..safe again! This is floated, full and on off, turns in, sticks to the surface a bit, Rassie van der Dussen looks to block but the ball loops up off the splice of the bat and falls just in front of Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Angles this one into the batter, quick and short toom, Andile Phehlukwayo stabs it straight to silly mid off.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, 2 runs.A low full toss, on leg, Andile Phehlukwayo drills it wide of the diving mid on fielder and comes back for the second run.

Mohammad Nabi to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Looped up, full and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen clips it towards square leg for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.In the air..safe! This is flighted, full and on off, Andile Phehlukwayo looks to drive but gets an outside edge but the fall lands safely in the cover-point region. They cross.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Floated, full and around off, Andile Phehlukwayo pushes it straight  to short covers.

Mohammad Nabi to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen eases it towards long on for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Slower through the air, short and around off, turns away, Andile Phehlukwayo looks for the reverse-sweep but fails to connect. Only a single from the over then.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Fires this one full, on leg, angling in and skids through, Andile Phehlukwayo gets his bat down quickly and pats it towards short mid-wicket.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Quicker, full and on off, Andile Phehlukwayo knocks it back to the bowler.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Tossed up, full, on middle and leg, Andile Phehlukwayo prods forward to defend but misses again to get hit on the pads. Another appeal for LBW, but turned down.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Flatter, short and around leg, angling in, Andile Phehlukwayo stays back to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW, but turned down. Afghanistan opts against the review.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Short and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

Powerplay 3! Now, five fielders are allowed outside the inner ring until the last over. However, Afghanistan would want to keep a couple of fielders in catching positions to make this chase a difficult one.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Angling on middle and leg, Phehlukwayo goes back to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. Afghanistan keeping it tight from both ends.

Mohammad Nabi to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Full and on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Tossed up on off, Rassie van der Dussen defends with an angled bat.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.OFF THE EDGE! Shorter and around off, quicker this time. Phehlukwayo looks to punch but inside edges it through fine leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.An arm ball on middle, Phehlukwayo defends it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Flat and on off, slower in the air, Phehlukwayo keeps it out.

Noor Ahmad to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.Flat and on middle, Phehlukwayo turns it to long on for a single to end the over.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Shorter and outside off, this is slapped through covers for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Tossed up on middle, kept out.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Full and on middle, this is punched to the left of mid on who dives and makes a good stop.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Four!FOUR! Flat and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen gets really low and pulls it through square leg for four. Welcome boundary.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Skiddy length this, outside off. Rassie van der Dussen looks to cut but misses.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Bowls it slow, flat and outside off, it lands and spins away. Phehlukwayo is drawn to defend but misses.

Mohammad Nabi to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.A single as this is hit to long on.

Mohammad Nabi to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Fuller and outside off, this is defended out.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, 1 run.Flat and outside off, Phehlukwayo plays it to long off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo, No run.Too full and on off, Phehlukwayo blocks.

Andile Phehlukwayo walks out to bat now.

Mohammad Nabi to David Miller, OUT! c & b Mohammad Nabi.OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! How soft was that? Miller will be livid with himself. Afghanistan though have broke the last known batting stand. Flat and around off. Miller with a tame push back to Nabi who gets low and takes a dolly. Miller can't believe it. Still 63 runs needed in 77 balls.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Tossed up on off, van der Dussen defends.

Noor Ahmad to David Miller, 1 run.Shorter and outside off, Miler cuts it through point for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Outside off, this is hit to deep point for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Flat and on middle, van der Dussen blocks.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, Wide!Wide! Tries to angle it away but serves it wide of off, left alone.

Noor Ahmad to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Full and on leg, van der Dussen looks to defend but misses. That was pitching outside the line.

Noor Ahmad to David Miller, 1 run.This one skids on, outside off, Miller plays  it to long off for a single.

Rashid Khan to David Miller, 1 run.A googly on off, Miller works it to covers for a quick single.

Rashid Khan to David Miller, No run.Full and outside off, Miller defends it out.

Rashid Khan to David Miller, 2 runs.Rashid Khan goes around the wicket and bowls it full. Miller smashes it wide of deep cover for a brace.

Rashid Khan to David Miller, No run.Tossed up on middle, blocked.

Rashid Khan to David Miller, No run.Tossed up on off, a googly. Miller prods to defend but is beaten.

Rashid Khan to David Miller, No run.Fuller and around off, Miller blocks it out.

Drinks! South Africa are cruising through this run chase now with both Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller looking solid out in the middle with the former also registering a fine fifty. Afghanistan needs wickets and they need them in bunches to put any pressure on the Proteas. Also, Rashid Khan to bowl after the break.

Rahmat Shah to Rassie van der Dussen, Four!FOUR! Fifty for Rassie van der Dussen! Excellent knock so far. Drags it short and on middle, van der Dussen gets low and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.

Rahmat Shah to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Flat and on middle, van der Dussen blocks.

Rahmat Shah to Rassie van der Dussen, No run.Full and on off, this is pushed to cover.

Rahmat Shah to David Miller, 1 run.On the pads, Miller turns it to square leg for a single.

Rahmat Shah to David Miller, Six!SIX! THAT IS HUGE! Tossed up, angling outside off. Miller holds his stance and hammers it over long off for a biggie.

Rahmat Shah to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.Length and outside off, van der Dussen cuts it to deep point for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Rassie van der Dussen, 1 run.On middle, van der Dussen keeps the strike as he hits it to long on.