Picture : ICC/ X
South African warmed up for the semi- final against Australia by beating Afghanistan by 5 wickets in an CWC23 encounter at Ahmedabad.
Earlier Afghanistan Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat first. The team began well with openers cautious – Rahmanullah Gurbaz ( 25) and ( 15) . Rahmat Shah chipped in with ( 26) , Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi was out cheaply for ( 2). Ikram Alikhil ( 12) . The big innings that Afghan was searching for came from Azmatullah Omarzai who was unlucky not to get to his well- derved hundred . Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 97 ( 107 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes), Rashid Khan ( 14) , Noor Ahmad ( 26) played anice cameo. Afghanistan were bowled out for 244 in their 50 overs.
The proteas bowling figures were: Kagiso Rabada 0/ 40 ( 10 overs), Lungi Ngidi 2/ 63 ( 8. 3 overs), Aiden Markram 0/ 25 ( 4. 3 overs), Gerald Coetzee was the pick among the bowlers with fine figures of 4/ 44 ( 10 overs), Keshav Maharaj spun the ball well for his 2/ 25 ( 10 overs), Andile Phehlukwayo 1/ 36 ( 7 overs)
Ahead of their semi- final clash against Australia, South Africa were given a challenge to chase given their nervy record while batting second .
South African openers in- from Quinton de Kock scored ( 41) while Skipper Temba Bavuma ( 23). The duo put on 64 for the first wicket in 11 overs. Aiden Markram ( 2%), dangerous Heinrich Klaasen ( 10), David Miller ( 24) fell quickly to cause some jitters. But Rassie van der Dussen anchored the innings superbly by holding one end and remained unbeaten on a match – winning 76 ( 95 balls, 6 fours 1 six). Rassie van der Dussen was supported well by Andile Phehlukwayo not out 39 ( 37 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes) as they saw South Africa home . South Africa reaching 247/ 5 in 47. 3 overs)
Afghanistan bowlers had these figures : Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/ 51 ( 10 overs), Naveen-ul-Haq 0/ 52 ( 6. 3 overs), Mohammad Nabi 2/ 35 ( 10 overs), Azmatullah Omarzai 0/ 8 ( 1 over), Rashid Khan 2/ 37 ( 10 overs), Noor Ahmad 0/ 49 ( 9 overs), Rahmat Shah 0/ 12 ( 1 over)
Match: World Cup 2023, 42nd Match
Venue: Ahmedabad | Date: Nov 10, 2023
