South Africa finally got off the mark in the points table of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 with a nine-wicket wicket over Afghanistan (D/L method) at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens in a rain-affected match.
The Proteas wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock scored a well made 68, including eight fours, and Hashim Amla made an unbeaten 41 in South Africa’s 131-1 in 28.4 overs in response to Afghanistan’s 125 for all out in 34.1 overs.
Due to the heavy rains which had interrupted the play, the match was diminished to 48 overs for each team with South Africa’s winning target being revised to 127 runs in 48 overs.
Andile Phehlukwayo finished it off in style for South Africa by hitting the only six of the match.
Amla was cautious but importantly converted his start to a big score and remained unbeaten.
De Kock’s innings lasted as many as 72 balls and he imparted an opening stand of 104 with Amla before he was gotten by Mohammad Nabi off the bowling of Gulbadin Naib in the 23rd over. It was South Africa’s first century partnership of the competition.
After losing to England, Bangladesh and India, and a washout against West Indies, a win was absolutely needed for four-time semi-finalist South Africa.
South Africa is at the seventh place in the points table while Afghanistan are at the bottom of the points table losing all their four matches.
In ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ahead, South Africa meet New Zealand on 19 June, Wednesday, while Afghanistan meet India on 22 June, Saturday.
Brief Scorecard: Afghanistan 125 (Noor Ali Zadran 32; Rashid Khan 35; Imran Tahir 4/29) South Africa 131 (Hashim Amla 41; Quniton de Kock 68)
Player of the Match: Imran Tahir