ICC World Cup 2023: Rassie rescues SA!

Top-order batsman Van der Dussen’s unbeaten 76 helps Proteas win close encounter after being in dire straits against Afghanistan; Omarzai’s 97* in vain

Calmness of Rassie van der Dussen and the fire of Gerald Coetzee helped experienced South Africa overcame a spirited resistance from Afghanistan to carve out a five-wicket win in their last league game of the World Cup here on Friday. Set a target of 245, South Africa, who are already assured of a place in semi-finals, completed the task with Van der Dussen remaining unbeaten on 76 off 95 balls.

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Phehlukwayo’s 39 crucial

Andile Phehlukwayo was unbeaten on a 37-ball 39 after a match-winning partnership of 65 runs with Van der Dussen. Earlier, pacer Coetzee took four wickets as Afghanistan were limited to 244 despite Azmatullah Omarzai’s impressive 97. Omarzai’s knock, however, helped the Afghans to recover from 116 for six.

Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai against South Africa in Ahmedabad yesterday. Pic/AFP

The defeat notwithstanding, Afghanistan, who shocked defending champions England and Pakistan during a very promising campaign, would go home with their heads held high. Omarzai faced 107 balls while hitting seven fours and three sixes. However, he could not record his maiden ODI hundred after failing to score off the last three balls of the final over bowled by Kagiso Rabada.

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On a pitch without any demons, South Africa started their chase confidently. But, as the match progressed, things didn’t pan out the way South Africa would have liked them to. In the end, they achieved it with 15 balls remaining after a mighty scrap.

Mujeeb at the receiving end

The in-form Quinton de Kock (41 off 47 balls) made his intentions clear quite early with a four and a six off Mujeeb Ur Rahman, dancing down the track to pummel the seasoned bowler over mid-off. The dashing left-handed batter, who went past Rachin Ravindra to become the leading scorer of this tournament, then pulled a Naveen-ul-Haq half-tracker over deep square leg for a maximum.

De Kock, however, could not go on to make a big one as he was adjudged trapped in front of the wicket by Mohammad Nabi, who chose to review after failing to convince the on-field umpire. De Kock, who had earlier in the day joined the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Sarfaraz Khan by taking six catches, struck two fours and three sixes.

Meanwhile, skipper Temba Bavuma’s (23 off 28) poor run continued as he was shown the door by Mujeeb, who had the batter in all sorts of trouble with a back of a length delivery that hurried onto him. A 43-run partnership ensued before Nabi had David Miller (24 off 33) in a rather soft dismissal, leaving Van der Dussen to complete the job.

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