Afghanistan vs South Africa: Proteas record first victory of Cricket World Cup with nine-wicket hammering
Re-live the action below
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Your support makes all the difference.South Africa finally got a World Cup win under their belt as they eased to a nine-wicket triumph over Afghanistan at Sophia Gardens on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a semi-final berth.
Leg spinner Imran Tahir took 4-29 as he engineered an Afghani collapse after a 75-minute rain break as they were dismissed for 125. Chris Morris contributed with figures of 3-13 and Andile Phehlukwayo took two wickets for 18.
The South Africans then set about the slightly adjusted target of 127 from 48 overs in cautious fashion, reaching 131-1 with 19 overs to spare. Re-live the action below:
32.1 Sri Lanka 186-3
WICKET! Karunaratne (97) b Richardson c Maxwell
Huge wicket for Australia! Karunaratne drives a shot straight into the hands of Maxwell, who makes no mistake with his catch. A heartbreaking way to go out for Sri Lanka's opener, who batted brilliantly.
32.2 Sri Lanka 190-3 Angelo Matthews 4 Kusal Mendis 17
The perfect start for the experienced Angelo Matthews, who immediately pushes a shot down the ground for four. Sri Lanka need a big innings from their number 4 here.
25.2 Afghanistan 77-7
WICKET! Gulbadin (5) b Tahir c Markram
It's been a little while (about 15 minutes) since the last Afghanistan wicket fell. Tahir gets another one, dropping one shorter and inviting Gulbadin to hit it. He does, and finds the welcome hands of Markram.
34.0 Sri Lanka 193-3 Angelo Matthews 5 Kusal Mendis 19
That's it for Maxwell's bowling today. He's been very good, for the most part pinning Sri Lanka's batsmen back and stopping the flow of runs at a key time. The required run rate is now up at almost nine.
34.4 Sri Lanka 200-3 Angelo Matthews 5 Kusal Mendis 26
Sri Lanka bring up 200 after a powerful drive down the ground from Mendis. It flew past Starc for six and gets the Sri Lanka fans going again.
35.0 Sri Lanka 204-3 Angelo Matthews 9 Kusal Mendis 26
A much-needed 11 runs from that over for Sri Lanka. Matthews pulls a shot to the boundary from the last ball as the partnership between these two grows stronger.
35.4 Sri Lanka 205-4
WICKET! Matthews (9) b Cummins c Carey
Angelo Matthews is furious with himself! He tries to pull another Cummins short ball away to the boundary but connects only with his glove. Carey takes the catch and the umpire's finger goes up. Sri Lanka have a mountain to climb now.
36.2 Sri Lanka 209-5
WICKET! Siriwardana (3) b Starc
Another wicket falls! A record run chase is looking increasingly likely as Siriwardana goes for just three runs. Starc's delivery is full and straight and Siriwardana can do nothing to stop it crashing into middle stump.
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