South Africa batter Afghanistan in last WC game

KABUL (Pajhwok): South Africa beat Afghanistan by five wickets in their last game of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Chasing 245, South Africa saw Rassie van der Dussen make an unbeaten 76 as the Proteas reached the target with 15 balls to spare, according to Mint.

The Proteas, who have already qualified for the semifinals, completed the task in 47.3 overs. They now have 14 points and continue to occupy the second spot behind India.

Azmatullah Omarzai hit an unbeaten 97 to guide Afghanistan to 244 all out in a match where they needed an unlikely 438-run win to make the last four.

Omarzai played a wonderful innings of 97 runs. The batter missed his century by just three runs, but surely created an impact for his team.

South African pacer Gerald Coetzee clinched four wickets to keep Afghanistan batters restricted.

Afghan openers started on a cautious note but lost their wickets within the first 10 overs. South African spinner Keshav Maharaj dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz while pacer Gerald Coetzee took out Ibrahim Zadran

The match had little bearing on the ICC World Cup 2023 hopes. The Proteas are ranked second on the points table after winning six of their last eight games.

sa/mud