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Home » Live Cricket Score » ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019 » Summary

South Africa vs Afghanistan Live Cricket Score, Match 21, ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019, June 15, 2019

AFG 125/10 (34.1)
South Africa beat Afghanistan by 9 wickets (D/L method)
SA 131/1 (28.4)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : Hello and a warm welcome. Yes! A warm welcome. If you are in England right now, that is what you would be hoping and wishing for. Some sort of conditions where cricket can be played. And we have those. It is a beautiful sunny afternoon in Cardiff and hopefully, there will not be any rain, even though there is some forecast later in the evening. Fingers crossed.
So - Weather description done. Who are playing today? Australia and Sri Lanka are already engrossed in a tussle in London while here in Cardiff, South Africa meet Afghanistan. It is a must-win game for each, given the scenarios in the points table with a loss almost certain to rule the team out of the competition. This is the first ever ODI clash between South Africa and Afghanistan. How will it be?
TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Faf du Plessis is the home captain for this game and Heads is the call from Gulbadin Naib but it is a Tail. SOUTH AFRICA WILL CHASE.
South African skipper, Faf du Plessis, says that it has been raining a lot and the pitch has been under covers, hence the reason. Admits that the Proteas have hardly played any cricket for the last one week, hence the team is unchanged. Rues the fact that they have not been able to spend much time in the nets, but is hopeful of the team meetings coming into effect. Stresses that it is important for the guys to enjoy the game.
Afghanistan captain, Gulbadin Naib, says that honestly, he too, would have liked to bowl first and feels it looks a good surface for the batters. Like Faf, he too, says that the last one week was spent in rain and understands that there will be some juice in the pitch given that it has been under covers. Informs that there is one change, with Najibullah Zadran making way for Asghar Afghan. Adds that Asghar is a very senior player and his experience will help the Afghans.
PITCH REPORT - Shaun Pollock doing the pitch report says that due to sunshine in the last two days, there won't be too much of an effect in the pitch. Observes some grass covering which he feels, should make the ball move around a bit. Reckons that there will be difficulty for the batsmen.
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Hazrat Zazai, Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan (IN FOR NAJIBULLAH ZADRAN), Gulbadin Naib(c), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Ali Khil(wk), Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan. South Africa (UNCHANGED Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock(wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Beuran Hendricks.
The anthems are done and dusted and we are ready for the game to begin. The players are out onto the field. Hazrat Zazai and Noor Ali Zadran will open for the Afghans. Kagiso Rabada will start off against Zazai. Here we go.
0.1 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Beaten first up! On a length around middle, Zazai looks to defend but the ball comes in, squares him into two and goes over the stumps!
0.2 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Full on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket. Rabada slips in his followthrough and gets up gingerly.
0.3 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Outside off, pushed straight to point.
0.4 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Landed on a fuller length again, pushed away from his body towards point.
0.5 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Around middle and leg, Hazrat looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.
0.6 : K Rabada to H Zazai, FOUR! A poor ball to end the over. A full toss, on middle, Zazai flicks it through square leg. Imran Tahir races to his right from third man and dives but in vain.
Beuran Hendricks to bowl with the second new ball.
1.1 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
1.2 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Around middle and off, watchfully blocked out.
1.3 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Outside off, Noor Ali looks to defend but the ball zips away and beats the outside edge.
1.4 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Outside off, left alone.
1.5 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Outside off, on a length, angling away, let through.
1.6 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, A maiden over to begin for Beuran. A short ball around middle and leg, Noor Ali arches his back and sways away from the line of the bouncer.
2.1 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Flicks this away for a couple.
2.2 : K Rabada to H Zazai, BEATEN! Excellent delivery from Kagiso Rabada. Good length delivery on off, Zazai looks to flick but misses it due to the away movement on this one.
2.3 : K Rabada to H Zazai, On a length on middle, Zazai flicks it towards square leg where Rassie van der Dussen tries to stop it but misfields. The batsmen don't run.
2.4 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Short delivery on middle, Zazai pulls it over mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
2.5 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Short of a length delivery on middle, Zazai pulls it towards fine leg for a run.
2.6 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, Outside off, Zadran offers no shot to this one.
3.1 : B Hendricks to H Zazai, Full and down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.
3.2 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Another jaffa. On a length, outside off, Noor Ali looks to defend but the ball seams away and beats the outside edge!
3.3 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, played straight to point.
3.4 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, FOUR! GORGEOUS! Possibly the best shot of the afternoon so far. Overpitched, outside off, Noor Ali reaches out and drives it through the covers! Yawning gap over there.
3.5 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, On middle and leg, a tad short, helped through square leg for a single.
3.6 : B Hendricks to H Zazai, WIDE. He will have to re-bowl that. A short ball, but misdirected, down the leg side. Zazai lets it go.
B Hendricks to H Zazai, A length ball, on middle, flicked through square leg for a run.
4.1 : K Rabada to H Zazai, Dropped short, pulled towards fine leg for a single.
4.2 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, On a good length on off, Zadran looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Is that a run out? Quinton de Kock has tried to do an MS Dhoni but perhaps Zadran has made it in. Referred upstairs. Replays are showing that the bat has got in.
4.3 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, SAFE AS A HOUSE. Good work from de Kock but the throw was a bit wide. On a length on off, Zadran plays it towards point. They take a single but Noor Ali wants the second. The fielder at point throws it at the keeper's end where Quinton de Kock collects it and hits the stumps at his end. It was a wild throw from the fielder. It is referred upstairs. The replays show he was well in and it needed a direct hit from the fielder. The batsmen get two runs.
4.4 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, On a good length on off, Zadran defends it off the back foot.
4.5 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, On a length outside off, Noor Ali looks to push but the ball goes off the outside edge towards third man. A single taken.
4.6 : K Rabada to H Zazai, DROPPED, FOUR! Tough chance but normally South Africa pull these off. A miscue off a pull results in a top edge but Morris running to his left from mid-wicket cannot get there and palms it down. Short of a length delivery, Zazai looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes towards mid-wicket where two fielders run for the ball. Chris Morris runs to his left from short mid-wicket, tries to stretch out his hands but the ball bursts through his fingers. It rolls away to the
5.1 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, FOUR! GLORIOUS! Consecutive boundaries for Afghanistan. Half volley outside off, Noor Ali leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary!
5.2 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
5.3 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, On a good length around middle, watchfully defended from the crease.
5.4 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Fuller in length this time, pushed towards point.
5.5 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, FOUR! Another boundary and the heavens have opened up! A length ball, down the leg side, Noor Ali helps it past the keeper to the fine leg fence.
UPDATE - 1.55 PM LOCAL (1255 GMT) - Not a downpour by any means but a delay for sure. The umbrellas has gone up in the stands and the umpires feel that the conditions are too wet to continue. The hover cover comes on and it is the only one in place. Does not seem like a heavy shower. Oh wait. Scratch that. The rain seems to have gotten heavier and the groundstaff are bringing in more covers.
UPDATE - 2.15 PM LOCAL (1315 GMT) - The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. Just the hover cover in place and the Super Sopper is doing its stuff. Play is scheduled to begin at 2.20 pm local (1320 GMT).
Wow. The sun is shining in all its glory. Overcast conditions have been replaced by bright and sunny ones. We are about to resume. Meanwhile, in London, Australia have finished with 334/7 against Sri Lanka after being put in to bat. Looks to be a good chase on the cards.
5.6 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Full on middle, driven back to the bowler.
6.1 : K Rabada to H Zazai, On a length around middle, helped through square leg for a single.
6.2 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, Outside off, punched to the off side.
6.3 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, A short ball now, Noor Ali keeps it down nicely.
6.4 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, Outside off, NAZ looks to push but misses.
6.5 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, That is a snorter. On a short length, outside off, Zadran looks to feel for it but the ball rises steeply and beats the outside edge.
6.6 : K Rabada to Ali Zadran, Outside off, quietly left alone this time.
7.1 : B Hendricks to H Zazai, Huge shout for LBW! Turned down! On a length around middle, Zazai looks to flick but falls over in his attempt to do so. Fuller in length, around middle, Zazai looks to flick but misses. Is hit on the pads and the Proteas go up in an appeal but the umpire stays put. Hawk Eye shows the ball to be going down leg.
7.2 : B Hendricks to H Zazai, Outside off, very full, Hazrat looks to drive but the ball swings away past the outside edge.
7.3 : B Hendricks to H Zazai, Almost guided to the keeper! Short and outside off, HZ backs away, looks to guide it towards third man but ends up playing it too fine. So fine that the bat-face is towards the keeper! The ball goes off the toe end of the bat and lands in front of de Kock.
7.4 : B Hendricks to H Zazai, FOUR! Oh yes! This time Zazai connects. A length ball, outside off, Hazrat backs away and smashes it wide of mid off for a boundary.
7.5 : B Hendricks to H Zazai, On middle and leg, helped to the leg side for a single.
7.6 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, A bouncer around middle, Noor Ali sways away. 'A weird leave!' utters my colleague Sairaj here. Will tell you why he felt that. He was initially looking to duck, Noor Ali that is, then wanted to sway and in the end does a bit of both. Hence awkward.
8.1 : K Rabada to H Zazai, A length ball around middle, angling in, Zazai looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.
8.2 : K Rabada to H Zazai, OUT! There goes the first wicket. The short ball does the trick. Tring tring! Any surprise? Asian side batting, bowl short. That is what Rabada does. Bangs it in middle, Zazai looks to pull but is hurried in by the fast-paced delivery. Miscues it, gets a top edge and Rassie van der Dussen runs in nicely from deep mid-wicket, slides ahead and takes it nicely. So Zazai's T20ish innings as always, comes to an end soon.
Rahmat Shah walks in at number 3, replacing Zazai.
8.3 : K Rabada to R Shah, Around middle and off, watchfully defended.
8.4 : K Rabada to R Shah, Outside off, left alone.
8.5 : K Rabada to R Shah, Around off and middle, well blocked out.
8.6 : K Rabada to R Shah, Outside off, played towards point.
9.1 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, A bouncer on middle, Noor Ali ducks.
9.2 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Full on middle, Noor Ali pushes it uppishly but the ball does not carry back to the bowler.
9.3 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Around off, pushed to the off side.
9.4 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, played towards point.
9.5 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, FOUR! In the gap! Short and outside off, Noor Ali punches it in the gap between cover and point and fetches a boundary!
9.6 : B Hendricks to Ali Zadran, Uppish, but safe! Just a ball before, the man at point was a few paces in. But he was pushed back. Full and outside off, Noor Ali pushes it uppishly but the ball did not carry to point. 43/1 in Powerplay 1, whose has it been? South Africa's for not giving away too many runs or Afghanistan's, for not losing more than a wicket?
POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. We have the first bowling change as well. Andile Phehlukwayo running in.
10.1 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, Around off, watchfully defended.
10.2 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, Outside off, left alone.
10.3 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, Full and outside off, driven straight to point.
10.4 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, DIRECT HIT WOULD HAVE HAD RAHMAT. On middle, Rahmat tucks it towards mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. The fielder collects and has a quick shy at the bowler's end but misses. The direct hit would have consumed Rahmat but luckily for him, it hits on a green patch and bounces over!
Is that a catch? Faf du Plessis is claiming it. The umpires get together and take it upstairs.
10.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, NOT OUT. Just short. Full and outside off, Noor Ali looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge. Towards second slip where Faf du Plessis collects it by going to his right. He claims the catch and the umpires refer it upstairs but replays show that the ball has bounced.
10.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.
Chris Morris comes on now.
11.1 : C Morris to R Shah, Landed outside off, Shah looks to drive but the ball beats the outside edge. De Kock collects it at chest height.
11.2 : C Morris to R Shah, Outside off, left alone.
11.3 : C Morris to R Shah, A short ball outside off, cuts back in, RS looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads and the ball goes towards the slip cordon.
11.4 : C Morris to R Shah, Full on middle, pushed through mid on.
11.5 : C Morris to R Shah, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
11.6 : C Morris to R Shah, EDGED, BUT SHORT! Super bowling from Morris. He lands it on a length outside off, Rahmat pushes at it but the ball seams away, bounces extra, takes the outside edge and goes behind. De Kock dives to his right but cannot get there. Hashim Amla stops it at first slip to his left on the bounce. A maiden from Morris.
12.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, left alone.
12.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, Pushes this towards point.
12.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
12.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, On a length outside off, played straight to point.
12.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
12.6 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, Landed outside off, let through.
13.1 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, On a length outside off, Noor Ali comes forward and defends it to the off side.
13.2 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, pushed to the off side.
13.3 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, Almost a return catch! Full and outside off, Noor Ali drives it a tad loosely straight back. Morris sticks out his left hand but the ball is far from him. Imran Tahir starts to run from mid on but Beuran Hendricks chases it down from mid off. Gets to the ball and at the last moment, flicks it back to Tahir. Three runs taken.
13.4 : C Morris to R Shah, On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
13.5 : C Morris to R Shah, Lovely ball. Back of a length outside off, Rahmat looks to push but the ball kicks off after pitching and beats the outside edge.
13.6 : C Morris to R Shah, FOUR! Well played! A short ball, outside off, Rahmat pulls it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary for himself in the vacant real estate. 50 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN. Time for a move on now.
14.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, On middle and leg, flicked away for a single.
14.2 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, Landed outside off, left alone.
14.3 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.
14.4 : A Phehlukwayo to R Shah, Landed outside off, played uppishly behind point for a single.
14.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, A bouncer on middle, ducked under.
14.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, Another edge which falls safely! Looks like luck is not on the Protean side at the moment. Outside off, Zadran pushes at it but the ball goes off the outside edge and goes in between the slips behind. Two runs taken.
Adjudged LBW! Rahmat has been given out to Morris and he has taken the review, after a chat with his partner. Looks to be hitting leg, clipping at best. Shah might have to go back here. Yes. Hawk Eye shows it to be clipping leg stump. Umpire's call it is. Some solace for Afghanistan given that they do not lose their review.
15.1 : C Morris to R Shah, OUT! LBW! The call stays as it is. Big wicket for South Africa. Rahmat Shah was one man who could have stayed for long. Very full, on middle, Shah looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. A confident Morris went on appealing and after thing for a while, umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge raised his finger. Rahmat had a chat with Noor Ali and then signalled for the review. No inside edge but Hawk Eye shows the ball to be clipping leg stump, so it is umpire's call. D
0.0 : Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in at number 4, replacing Rahmat.
15.2 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Outside off, on a length, Shahidi plays inside the line and gets beaten.
15.3 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Outside off, played straight to point.
15.4 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Landed around off, solidly blocked out.
15.5 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Outside off, Shahidi looks to guide it towards third man but then decides to leave it. Is late and the ball goes off the toe end past the slips towards third man. A single taken.
15.6 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, Another edge, this time for a couple.
16.1 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, Landed outside off, played straight to point.
16.2 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, Landed outside off, defended from the crease.
16.3 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, FOUR! Short and outside off, Shahidi cuts it through point and the ball races away!
16.4 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, More runs. Fuller in length this time, Hashmatullah leans and drives it between cover and mid off for a couple.
16.5 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, A bouncer on middle, Shahidi ducks.
16.6 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, Very full outside off, almost a yorker, jammed out towards point.
DRINKS BREAK. South Africa are keeping the control over the Afghans. They are not getting the wickets regularly but the boundaries are not coming regularly either. They are making the batsmen work for their runs which is visible from the scorecard, with the run rate hovering under 4. Luck has not been their ally but they have not let that affect them.
17.1 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover for an easy single. The stand moves to 10 from 12 balls.
17.2 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Well outside off, left alone.
17.3 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Landed outside off, a touch wide, let through.
17.4 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for nothing. Straight to the fielder.
17.5 : C Morris to H Shahidi, A short ball now, Shahidi lets it through to the keeper.
17.6 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Well wide outside off, left alone.
18.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, Full and outside off, driven sweetly but straight to mid off.
0.0 : Noor Ali has been adjudged LBW now! He is happy to go but at the last moment, takes the review, after a discussion with his partner. Looks dead. Or maybe not. Ultra Edge detects a spike when the ball passes the bat!
18.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, NOT OUT! Ultra Edge detects a spike when the ball passes the bat! How did Noor Ali miss that? Wow. Well done, Hashmatullah because you should be credited for this review. Full and around off, coming in, Zadran looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Phehlukwayo started to celebrate as soon as the ball hit the pads and the umpire agreed too. Noor Ali was ready to walk off but Hashmatullah called him back and had a chat. They went for the review and U
18.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, A bouncer around off, Noor Ali lets that sail over.
18.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, Full and around off, pushed towards mid off.
18.5 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Zadran, Outside off, edged through third man for a single.
18.6 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, Outside off, let through once more.
19.1 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, On a good length outside off, coming in a long way, Noor Ali looks to defend but the ball cuts back in a long way and beats the inside edge.
19.2 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, Outside off, quietly left alone this time.
19.3 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, Down the leg side, tucked towards fine leg for a single.
19.4 : C Morris to H Shahidi, Outside off, on a length, left alone.
19.5 : C Morris to H Shahidi, On middle and leg, extra bounce, Shahidi rises with the bounce and helps it through square leg for a single.
19.6 : C Morris to Ali Zadran, Outside off, another example of steep bounce, a play and a miss.
UPDATE - 3.30 pm local (1430 GMT) - Frustrating. We have another delay. It has started to drizzle once more and the umpires are taking the players off. Does not look like a long delay as it is just a drizzle. But heavy enough to keep the players off. A couple of more covers coming on, along with the hover cover.
UPDATE - 4 pm local (1500 GMT) - Good news. The rain has stopped and bright sunshine has enveloped the ground. The Super Soppers have been doing their work as usual but at least now, they get some sunshine for help. Should not be far from a resumption.
UPDATE - 4.25 pm local (1525 GMT) - Yay! We are about to resume! The ground is nicely bathed in sunshine and hopefully, that is the last of the rain delays. 2 overs have been cut off from each innings, so this will now be a 48-over-a-side contest.
20.1 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, Back of a length ball outside off, Shahidi leaves it alone.
20.2 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, Fuller now on middle and leg, Shahidi blocks it.
20.3 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, Good length ball on top of off, Shahidi taps it towards backward point. The man at point dives to right and stops it.
20.4 : A Phehlukwayo to H Shahidi, OUT! Caught! The halt in play has brought a lapse in concentration here. Phehlukwayo bowls it fuller on off, Shahidi looks to drive it but the ball nips away after pitching. The ball finds the outside edge of Shahidi's bat and goes straight to South Africa skipper, Faf du Plessis at first slip. He takes a regulation catch there.
The new man in is Asghar Afghan.
20.5 : A Phehlukwayo to A Afghan, Full on the stumps, Afghan taps it back to the bowler.
20.6 : A Phehlukwayo to A Afghan, Another wicket maiden. The length is the same, it is outside off. Afghan strokes it to the man at point.
Spin time now. Here is Imran Tahir.
21.1 : I Tahir to Ali Zadran, OUT! BOWLED! Foxed by the googly! Tahir has set off on a marathon run. On his very first ball. South Africa in total control now. How many times have we seen this? Tahir bowling a wrong 'un on his very first or second ball? Here is another example. This is pitched outside off and Noor Ali plays a lazy cover drive, without moving his feet much. He is clearly not expecting a googly and misses the ball by quite a distance. The ball spins in, goes between bat and pad and
0.0 : Mohammad Nabi walks in now, at number 6, replacing Noor Ali.
21.2 : I Tahir to M Nabi, Full and around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
21.3 : I Tahir to A Afghan, Full and around off, watchfully defended. This was a googly too.
21.4 : I Tahir to A Afghan, Around off, well kept out.
21.5 : I Tahir to A Afghan, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Second wicket in the over and Afghanistan are in tatters now. This is the leg spinner. Afghan looks to work it to the leg side from outside off but this one spins away. Was he expecting the googly? This one turns away, takes the leading edge and pops back for a simple return catch. Tahir runs to his left, takes the catch and then keeps on running, to complete his 10000 metre marathon.
Ikram Ali Khil walks in at number 7, replacing Afghan.
21.6 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
22.1 : A Phehlukwayo to M Nabi, OUT! BOWLED! Dragged on! Bad, worse, now worst. The rain break has completely turned the tables here. A length ball outside off, Nabi looks to punch it through the off side but the ball is too close to him and cramps Nabi for room. A bottom edge is induced and the Zing bails light up again. 39/0 has become 70/6 in no time. Well, technically lot of time but in terms of match situation, not much.
0.0 : Gulbadin Naib comes out now. Afghanistan need a captain's knock.
22.2 : A Phehlukwayo to G Naib, Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.
22.3 : A Phehlukwayo to G Naib, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
22.4 : A Phehlukwayo to G Naib, A bouncer on middle, Naib ducks under it.
22.5 : A Phehlukwayo to G Naib, On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
22.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Khil, The batsman does well to leave that bouncer.
23.1 : I Tahir to G Naib, Full and around off, gripping a little, watchfully defended.
23.2 : I Tahir to G Naib, This one skids off the pitch, from a short length, Naib is hurried into his flick towards mid-wicket.
23.3 : I Tahir to G Naib, Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
23.4 : I Tahir to G Naib, Landed outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
23.5 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Around off, watchfully blocked out.
23.6 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a run.
24.1 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Khil, On a length around off, seaming away, Ali Khil plays inside the line and is beaten.
24.2 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Khil, Similar ball, same shot, same result. Another play and a miss.
24.3 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Khil, Outside off, this time it is left alone quietly.
24.4 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Khil, Back of a length this time, steered towards third man for a single.
24.5 : A Phehlukwayo to G Naib, Full and just outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
24.6 : A Phehlukwayo to Ali Khil, Around off, solidly defended.
25.1 : I Tahir to G Naib, Around off, solidly defended.
25.2 : I Tahir to G Naib, OUT! Caught! Another one goes down and Tahir has his third. 3/3 in his third over with the score reading 77/7. Not the greatest of deliveries but a fantastic catch to get those numbers. A googly, short in length, Naib picks it and looks to pull. But he does not quite time it cleanly and hence, cannot get the elevation. The ball goes over mid-wicket but Aiden Markram at short mid-wicket times his leap to perfection and takes a stinger! Tahir runs to his right and this tim
Rashid Khan walks in at number 9, replacing Naib.
25.3 : I Tahir to R Khan, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
25.4 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
25.5 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, The googly, around off, well kept out.
25.6 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Another wrong 'un, outside off, pushed towards point.
Kagiso Rabada is back on. 5-1-20-1 so far.Faf du Plessis wants to finish things off here.
26.1 : K Rabada to R Khan, On middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
26.2 : K Rabada to Ali Khil, The ball takes the outside edge goes towards the slip region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
26.3 : K Rabada to R Khan, FOUR! HANDSOME! Overpitched outside off, Rashid leans and drives it past the bowler. No mid off and that is a boundary.
26.4 : K Rabada to R Khan, FOUR! A bit fortuitous this time. Outside off, on a length, Khan looks to punch it through the covers but the ball comes back in, takes the inside edge and goes past the diving de Kock's left side to the fine leg fence.
26.5 : K Rabada to R Khan, Outside off, punched straight to cover this time.
26.6 : K Rabada to R Khan, Outside off, coming in with the angle, RK looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.
27.1 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
27.2 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Works it through the leg side for a single.
27.3 : I Tahir to R Khan, FOUR LEG BYES! That missed everything. Or maybe not. Full and outside off, Rashid looks to sweep but the ball hits the pads and goes between the keeper and first slip to the third man fence. Faf du Plessis at first slip dives to his left but in vain.
27.4 : I Tahir to R Khan, Full and around off, driven straight back to the bowler.
27.5 : I Tahir to R Khan, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
27.6 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, On middle, pushed through mid on for one more.
28.1 : K Rabada to Ali Khil, Landed outside off, left alone.
28.2 : K Rabada to Ali Khil, On a good length outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
28.3 : K Rabada to R Khan, WIDE. A wild bouncer and down the leg side. Left alone.
K Rabada to R Khan, WIDE. This is down the leg side again, another extra ball.
K Rabada to R Khan, A short ball, Rashid looks to pull but misses.
28.4 : K Rabada to R Khan, Full and in line of the stumps, Khan backs a long way to the leg side and smashes it straight to mid off.
28.5 : K Rabada to R Khan, FOUR! Up and over! Full and outside off, Rashid Khan lofts it over mid off for a boundary! 100 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN! How many more can they add?
28.6 : K Rabada to R Khan, The batsman goes for the pull but misses it completely.
Our thoughts - Afghanistan cricket is in a turmoil. Change in leadership right before the mega tournament followed by questionable selections and in the playing XI along with Mohammad Shahzad's controversial exit from the World Cup suggests something is wrong at the moment.
29.1 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
29.2 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Outside off, driven straight back.
29.3 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Outside off, punched to the off side.
29.4 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
29.5 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
29.6 : I Tahir to R Khan, Full and around off, swept away for a run.
30.1 : K Rabada to R Khan, Around off, solidly defended.
30.2 : K Rabada to R Khan, A short ball, around off, Rashid looks to pull but gets a thick top edge onto his shoulder. Grimaces in pain while taking the single.
30.3 : K Rabada to Ali Khil, Outside off, left alone.
30.4 : K Rabada to Ali Khil, Outside off, short in length, Ikram looks to punch but gets a bottom edge to the off side.
30.5 : K Rabada to Ali Khil, Landed outside off, Ikram looks to play inside the line and is beaten.
30.6 : K Rabada to Ali Khil, Similar ball, same reaction. Another play and a miss.
31.1 : I Tahir to R Khan, Tossed up outside off, Rashid comes down the track, takes it on the full and drives it to long on for a single.
31.2 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, Full outside off, more flight, Ikram steps out of his crease and lofts it over the bowler. Faf du Plessis gets across to his left from long off and keeps the batsmen to a run. The stand is now worth 30 from 36 balls.
31.3 : I Tahir to R Khan, Full and outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. Rashid moves to 20 from 18 balls.
31.4 : I Tahir to R Khan, A tad short, punched through the covers for a run.
31.5 : I Tahir to Ali Khil, A full toss, on middle, swatted over mid-wicket for one more.
31.6 : I Tahir to R Khan, Full and outside off, Rashid looks to sweep but gets it off the bottom half towards square leg. There is a mix-up with Ali Khil halfway down the track. The fielder takes his aim from square leg and has a shy at the bowler's end but hits Ikram on the way.
Chris Morris returns. 5-1-13-1 so far.
32.1 : C Morris to Ali Khil, Around off, solidly defended.
32.2 : C Morris to Ali Khil, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
32.3 : C Morris to Ali Khil, Full on middle, pushed through mid on.
32.4 : C Morris to Ali Khil, OUT! Edged and taken! The stubborn partnership has been broken at last. Morris has his second and Afghanistan are heading towards a very small total. A length ball, outside off, from around the wicket, Ali Khil looks to defend but there is extra bounce on that one. The incoming delivery hits the sticker of the bat and flies at a comfortable height to Hashim Amla at first slip who takes it to his left around his knee. A struggling 33-ball 9 from Ikram has been ended.
Hamid Hassan walks in at number 10. Can he hang around with Rashid Khan and try and get 40-50 runs for the 9th wicket?
32.5 : C Morris to H Hassan, On middle and leg, Hamid works it towards mid-wicket. He wants a single and sets off but Rashid sends him back.
32.6 : C Morris to H Hassan, Ooohhh... A length ball outside off, Hassan wildly swings but misses. The ball does not miss the off stump by much. ANOTHER WICKET MAIDEN. Third of this innings. 5th maiden of the match!
33.1 : I Tahir to R Khan, FOUR! Nicely played. Full and around off, Rashid gets down and sweeps it between short fine leg and square leg.
33.2 : I Tahir to R Khan, FOUR! Another one. Quicker delivery, around middle and leg, Rashid sweeps it behind square once more.
33.3 : I Tahir to R Khan, Comes down the track, looks to go inside out but skews it off the outer half. The edge lands wide of cover and a couple of runs are taken. Andile Phehlukwayo does a good job by running back, sliding and stopping the boundary.
33.4 : I Tahir to R Khan, FOUR! Very nicely played. Tossed up outside off, Rashid comes down the track, takes it on the full and carves it over cover!
33.5 : I Tahir to R Khan, OUT! Caught! Tahir wins the battle of the leggies. A short ball, the slider this time, Rashid pulls and the connection is sweet too. It flies over mid-wicket but the elevation is not that great. Rassie van der Dussen at deep mid-wicket waits patiently then leaps and takes the catch. Fine cameo from Tahir comes to an end.
Aftab Alam is the last man in. Can Afghanistan reach 150?
Is that the final wicket? Tahir seems to be confident. The googly it is... Missed the inside edge but spinning down the leg side. South Africa will lose a review here. Though it hardly matters at this stage.
33.6 : I Tahir to A Alam, NOT OUT. Missing leg and Tahir does not get a 5-fer. For now. South Africa lose a review as well. The googly, around off, Alam does not pick it and gets a good stride forward to defend. Misses the ball and is hit on the pads and Tahir roars an appeal. The umpire does not agree and Immy wants a review. Hawk Eye shows the bat to be sliding down leg.
34.1 : C Morris to H Hassan, OUT! Caught! That ends the innings. Yet another team has been bowled out without playing its full quota of overs in the first innings. A length ball outside off, Hamid looks to pull but is done in by the extra bounce. Gets a top edge which goes nowhere but straight up in the air. Two fielders converge under it, Rabada running in from mid off and du Plessis running to his right from extra cover but in the end, the captain calls it crystal clear and takes it near the bo
South Africa have arrived in England at last. Agreed that Afghanistan have not displayed the best technique in the batting department but the Proteas were clinical to say. After winning a crucial toss, they made the most of the favourable conditions.
The innings began in a very promising note for the Afghans. The openers were watchful and almost saw off Powerplay 1, before Zazai was dismissed in the 9th over. That brought some stalling to the proceedings. The Men In Blue found it difficult to get going and were 69/2 in the 20th over when trouble arrived.
The trouble which starts with 'T' in English but with 'R' in this case. Rain. This was the second delay in this game after the first one came in the 6th over. That second interruption totally changed the game. South Africa came roaring back after the break, thanks to the spiced-up pitch due to the rain. In a trice, Afghanistan were reduced to 77/7 - losing 5 wickets for 8 runs in the span of 32 balls. They could barely recover from that.
Rashid Khan did inject some momentum with a 34-run stand for the 9th wicket with Ikram Ali Khil but it was just delaying the inevitable. Just 3 batsmen managed double figures. A shoddy batting display to say the least.
Good bowling from South Africa. Especially in the first half of this innings. The wickets were not coming and the pitch looked flat but they did not lose hope and kept the run rate down. Then, when the pitch spiced up due to the rain, they made the most of the track. Imran Tahir enjoyed the first, with 4 wickets while Morris helped himself to 3. Here is Immy with a big smile on his face giving an interview.
Imran Tahir says that during the rain break they knew it was going to be a short game and are happy with the performance after that. Says he was happy to get a wicket off a googly straightaway and informs he planned to bowl that as not many expect him to start with a googly. On whether he enjoyed bowling to Rashid, Tahir tells he did not enjoy bowling to Khan as he was batting well but in the end he is happy to have got his wicket. On how was the mood in the camp after their disappointing start,
THE REVISED TARGET FOR SOUTH AFRICA AS PER THE DLS METHOD IS 127 FROM 48 OVERS. Doubt whether this run chase will go beyond 30 overs. Join us back at 6.10 pm local (1710 GMT).