Match 42, Ahmedabad, November 10, 2023, 02:00 PM
Afghanistan
244/10(50.0ov)
South Africa
247/5(47.3ov)
South Africa beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Rassie van der Dussen
Commentry
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.
...Presentation next...
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.
In over# 48
6
4
6
Naveen-ul-Haq 52/0(6.3)
47.3
6
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!
47.2
4
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!
47.1
6
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.
In over# 47
2
1
1wd
1
2
1
1
Noor Ahmad 49/0(9)
46.6
2
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.
46.5
1
A bit short on off and Phehlukwayo pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
46.5
1wd
Wide! Bowls it too full and too wide outside the line. Left alone for a wide.
46.4
1
Outside off, this is hit through covers for a single.
46.3
2
TWO RUNS! Tossed up on off. Rassie van der Dussen drops it through point with soft hands and takes a couple.
46.2
1
Touch short and on off, Phehlukwayo pulls it to long on for a single.
