Cricket World Cup matches are being played in England and Wales. 21st match of ICC World Cup was scheduled between South Africa and Afghanistan in the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Saturday, June 15.
South Africa endured a torrid start to their campaign, losing their first three matches before a no result against the West Indies. But the outcome never looked in doubt in Cardiff, with man-of-the-match Imran Tahir taking four wickets as South Africa bundled out their opponents for a meagre 125 after two rain delays cut the match to 48 overs per side.
South Africa won the toss and chose the bowl first. Imran Tahir proved captain’s decision. Hazratullah and Noor Ali Zadran started Afghanistan’s innings. Afghanistan lost his 1st wicket on 39 when Hazratullah out on his individual score was 22. Rahmat Shah out on 6 and Hashmatullah went on 8. Noor Ali was the first hunt of Tahir. Noor Ali got out on 32 while Afghanistan stands on 69. Afghan half team had gone on 70 when Asghar Afghan out on duck. He is the second wicket of Imran Tahir. Only Rashid Khan tried to struggle and scored 35 runs. Remaining eight Afghanistan’s eight batsmen scored a sum of 29 runs. Rain also affected the match again and again. First time it stopped match in 6th over. After 18 minutes match remain started. Due to light rain, match again distributed on 20 over. After 10 minutes match remain started. Imran Tahir got 4 wickets, Ch Morris got 3, AL Phehlukwayo 2 and K Rabada took 1 wicket. Afganistan got out on 125 in 34.1 overs.
Due to rain; South Africa had target of 127 runs as The Duckworth–Lewis (D/L) method.
South Africa got the target 131 runs on one wicket in just 29th over. Wicket keeper Q de Kock out on 68. Hashim Amla and AL Phehlukwayo scored 41 and 17 not out. Gulbadin Naib took single wicket.
This win is giving a chance to South Africa survive to semi final. It is the first win of South Africa. It is also a one sided match. Neither batsmen nor bowlers of Afghanistan team played good game.
South Africa also not played very well. Spent 28 overs for an ease 127 runs target is against Afghanistan an alarming situation for South Africa. South Africa could improve his run rate by achieved this target in minimum over but it lost that chance.
Now South Africa is in do and dies condition. If it loss one another match, it might go to home without play semi final.
