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SA beat AFG by 9 wickets (D/L method) | Afghanistan vs South Africa, Highlights And Cricket Score 21th ODI Match - Commentary
ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019
Date: Jun 15, 2019 Start Time: 18:00 IST | 12:30 GMT | 13:30 LocalVenue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
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Afghanistan vs South Africa Highlights And Cricket Score 21th Match - ODI Commentary
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).
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, Tahir informs they were ready for this game and never lost confidence as they knew they are a talented side and know they can perform well.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chris Morris to Hamid 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 bowler's end. AFGHANISTAN BOWLED OUT FOR 125!
Imran Tahir to Aftab 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.
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.
Aftab Alam is the last man in. Can Afghanistan reach 150?
Imran Tahir to Rashid 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.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. FOUR! Very nicely played. Tossed up outside off, Rashid comes down the track, takes it on the full and carves it over cover!
Imran Tahir to Rashid 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.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. FOUR! Another one. Quicker delivery, around middle and leg, Rashid sweeps it behind square once more.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. FOUR! Nicely played. Full and around off, Rashid gets down and sweeps it between short fine leg and square leg.
Chris Morris to Hamid 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!
Chris Morris to Hamid Hassan. On middle and leg, Hamid works it towards mid-wicket. He wants a single and sets off but Rashid sends him back.
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?
Chris Morris to Ikram 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.
Chris Morris to Ikram Ali Khil. Full on middle, pushed through mid on.
Chris Morris to Ikram Ali Khil. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Chris Morris to Ikram Ali Khil. Around off, solidly defended.
Chris Morris returns. 5-1-13-1 so far.
Imran Tahir to Rashid 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.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. A full toss, on middle, swatted over mid-wicket for one more.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. A tad short, punched through the covers for a run.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. Full and outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. Rashid moves to 20 from 18 balls.
Imran Tahir to Ikram 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.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. Tossed up outside off, Rashid comes down the track, takes it on the full and drives it to long on for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Ikram Ali Khil. Similar ball, same reaction. Another play and a miss.
Kagiso Rabada to Ikram Ali Khil. Landed outside off, Ikram looks to play inside the line and is beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Ikram Ali Khil. Outside off, short in length, Ikram looks to punch but gets a bottom edge to the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Ikram Ali Khil. Outside off, left alone.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. Around off, solidly defended.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. Full and around off, swept away for a run.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Outside off, punched to the off side.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Outside off, driven straight back.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
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.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. The batsman goes for the pull but misses it completely.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid 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?
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. Full and in line of the stumps, Khan backs a long way to the leg side and smashes it straight to mid off.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. A short ball, Rashid looks to pull but misses.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. WIDE. This is down the leg side again, another extra ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. WIDE. A wild bouncer and down the leg side. Left alone.
Kagiso Rabada to Ikram Ali Khil. On a good length outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Ikram Ali Khil. Landed outside off, left alone.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. On middle, pushed through mid on for one more.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. Full and around off, driven straight back to the bowler.
Imran Tahir to Rashid 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.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Works it through the leg side for a single.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. Outside off, punched straight to cover this time.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. FOUR! HANDSOME! Overpitched outside off, Rashid leans and drives it past the bowler. No mid off and that is a boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to Ikram Ali Khil. The ball takes the outside edge goes towards the slip region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Rashid Khan. On middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Kagiso Rabada is back on. 5-1-20-1 so far.Faf du Plessis wants to finish things off here.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Another wrong 'un, outside off, pushed towards point.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. The googly, around off, well kept out.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Imran Tahir to Rashid Khan. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
Rashid Khan walks in at number 9, replacing Naib.
Imran Tahir to Gulbadin 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 time his marathon is cut short at short mid-wicket.
Imran Tahir to Gulbadin Naib. Around off, solidly defended.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ikram Ali Khil. Around off, solidly defended.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Gulbadin Naib. Full and just outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ikram Ali Khil. Back of a length this time, steered towards third man for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ikram Ali Khil. Outside off, this time it is left alone quietly.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ikram Ali Khil. Similar ball, same shot, same result. Another play and a miss.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ikram Ali Khil. On a length around off, seaming away, Ali Khil plays inside the line and is beaten.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a run.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Around off, watchfully blocked out.
Imran Tahir to Gulbadin Naib. Landed outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Imran Tahir to Gulbadin Naib. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Imran Tahir to Gulbadin Naib. This one skids off the pitch, from a short length, Naib is hurried into his flick towards mid-wicket.
Imran Tahir to Gulbadin Naib. Full and around off, gripping a little, watchfully defended.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ikram Ali Khil. The batsman does well to leave that bouncer.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Gulbadin Naib. On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Gulbadin Naib. A bouncer on middle, Naib ducks under it.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Gulbadin Naib. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Gulbadin Naib. Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.
Gulbadin Naib comes out now. Afghanistan need a captain's knock.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Mohammad 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.
Imran Tahir to Ikram Ali Khil. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Ikram Ali Khil walks in at number 7, replacing Afghan.
Imran Tahir to Asghar 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.
Imran Tahir to Asghar Afghan. Around off, well kept out.
Imran Tahir to Asghar Afghan. Full and around off, watchfully defended. This was a googly too.
Imran Tahir to Mohammad Nabi. Full and around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
Mohammad Nabi walks in now, at number 6, replacing Noor Ali.
Imran Tahir to Noor 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 hits the timber!
Spin time now. Here is Imran Tahir.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Asghar Afghan. Another wicket maiden. The length is the same, it is outside off. Afghan strokes it to the man at point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Asghar Afghan. Full on the stumps, Afghan taps it back to the bowler.
The new man in is Asghar Afghan.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah 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. Phehlukwayo and Morris have bowled well here and the former has rightfully got a wicket he deserved.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Good length ball on top of off, Shahidi taps it towards backward point. The man at point dives to right and stops it.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fuller now on middle and leg, Shahidi blocks it.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Back of a length ball outside off, Shahidi leaves it alone.
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.
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 - 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.
Chris Morris to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, another example of steep bounce, a play and a miss.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On middle and leg, extra bounce, Shahidi rises with the bounce and helps it through square leg for a single.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off, on a length, left alone.
Chris Morris to Noor Ali Zadran. Down the leg side, tucked towards fine leg for a single.
Chris Morris to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, quietly left alone this time.
Chris Morris to Noor 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.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off, let through once more.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, edged through third man for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. Full and around off, pushed towards mid off.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. A bouncer around off, Noor Ali lets that sail over.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor 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 Ultra Edge detected a disturbance when the ball passed the inside edge!
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!
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. Full and outside off, driven sweetly but straight to mid off.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Well wide outside off, left alone.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A short ball now, Shahidi lets it through to the keeper.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for nothing. Straight to the fielder.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Landed outside off, a touch wide, let through.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Well outside off, left alone.
Chris Morris to Noor Ali Zadran. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover for an easy single. The stand moves to 10 from 12 balls.
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.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Very full outside off, almost a yorker, jammed out towards point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A bouncer on middle, Shahidi ducks.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. More runs. Fuller in length this time, Hashmatullah leans and drives it between cover and mid off for a couple.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Short and outside off, Shahidi cuts it through point and the ball races away!
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Landed outside off, defended from the crease.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Landed outside off, played straight to point.
Chris Morris to Noor Ali Zadran. Another edge, this time for a couple.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah 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.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Landed around off, solidly blocked out.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off, played straight to point.
Chris Morris to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Outside off, on a length, Shahidi plays inside the line and gets beaten.
Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in at number 4, replacing Rahmat.
Chris Morris to Rahmat 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. Don't lose the review but lose their best batsman.
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.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor 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.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. A bouncer on middle, ducked under.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat Shah. Landed outside off, played uppishly behind point for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat Shah. Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat Shah. Landed outside off, left alone.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. On middle and leg, flicked away for a single.
Chris Morris to Rahmat 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.
Chris Morris to Rahmat 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.
Chris Morris to Rahmat Shah. On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Chris Morris to Noor 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.
Chris Morris to Noor Ali Zadran. Landed outside off, pushed to the off side.
Chris Morris to Noor Ali Zadran. On a length outside off, Noor Ali comes forward and defends it to the off side.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat Shah. Landed outside off, let through.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. Landed outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. On a length outside off, played straight to point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. Pushes this towards point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. Landed outside off, left alone.
Chris Morris to Rahmat 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.
Chris Morris to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Chris Morris to Rahmat Shah. Full on middle, pushed through mid on.
Chris Morris to Rahmat 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.
Chris Morris to Rahmat Shah. Outside off, left alone.
Chris Morris to Rahmat Shah. Landed outside off, Shah looks to drive but the ball beats the outside edge. De Kock collects it at chest height.
Chris Morris comes on now.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor Ali Zadran. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Noor 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.
Is that a catch? Faf du Plessis is claiming it. The umpires get together and take it upstairs.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat 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!
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat Shah. Full and outside off, driven straight to point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat Shah. Outside off, left alone.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rahmat Shah. Around off, watchfully defended.
POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. We have the first bowling change as well. Andile Phehlukwayo running in.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor 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?
Beuran Hendricks to Noor 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!
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Landed outside off, played towards point.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Around off, pushed to the off side.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Full on middle, Noor Ali pushes it uppishly but the ball does not carry back to the bowler.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. A bouncer on middle, Noor Ali ducks.
Kagiso Rabada to Rahmat Shah. Outside off, played towards point.
Kagiso Rabada to Rahmat Shah. Around off and middle, well blocked out.
Kagiso Rabada to Rahmat Shah. Outside off, left alone.
Kagiso Rabada to Rahmat Shah. Around middle and off, watchfully defended.
Rahmat Shah walks in at number 3, replacing Zazai.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat 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.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor 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.
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat Zazai. On middle and leg, helped to the leg side for a single.
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat 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.
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat 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.
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat Zazai. Outside off, very full, Hazrat looks to drive but the ball swings away past the outside edge.
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, quietly left alone this time.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, NAZ looks to push but misses.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ali Zadran. A short ball now, Noor Ali keeps it down nicely.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, punched to the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. On a length around middle, helped through square leg for a single.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Full on middle, driven back to the bowler.
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.
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).
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.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor 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.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Fuller in length this time, pushed towards point.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. On a good length around middle, watchfully defended from the crease.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. FOUR! GLORIOUS! Consecutive boundaries for Afghanistan. Half volley outside off, Noor Ali leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary!
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat 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 fence but Rassie van der Dussen, the other fielder who was racing along with Morris, gets to the ball, puts in a slide and tries to push the ball back in. The umpires check it upstairs for the boundary and replays show that Rassie did push the ball away but while trying to do so, at the last moment, his left hand got in contact with the ropes. Unfortunate.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ali Zadran. On a good length on off, Zadran defends it off the back foot.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor 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.
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.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ali Zadran. On a good length on off, Zadran looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Short of a length delivery on middle, Zazai pulls it towards square leg for a single.
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat Zazai. A length ball, on middle, flicked through square leg for a run.
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat Zazai. WIDE. He will have to re-bowl that. A short ball, but misdirected, down the leg side. Zazai lets it go.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. On middle and leg, a tad short, helped through square leg for a single.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor 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.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Landed outside off, played straight to point.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Another jaffa. On a length, outside off, Noor Ali looks to defend but the ball seams away and beats the outside edge!
Beuran Hendricks to Hazrat Zazai. Full and down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, Zadran offers no shot to this one.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Short of a length delivery on middle, Zazai pulls it towards fine leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Short delivery on middle, Zazai pulls it over mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. UPPISH, BUT SAFE! Almost hit it straight to the man. A short ball, on middle, Zazai pulls it towards square leg and almost gives a straightforward catch to Rassie van der Dussen. Lands just short.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Rabada bowls a length delivery on middle, Zazai flicks it through square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor 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.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, on a length, angling away, let through.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, left alone.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Outside off, Noor Ali looks to defend but the ball zips away and beats the outside edge.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Around middle and off, watchfully blocked out.
Beuran Hendricks to Noor Ali Zadran. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Beuran Hendricks to bowl with the second new ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat 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.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Around middle and leg, Hazrat looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Landed on a fuller length again, pushed away from his body towards point.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Outside off, pushed straight to point.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat Zazai. Full on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket. Rabada slips in his followthrough and gets up gingerly.
Kagiso Rabada to Hazrat 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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Sunday. June 16. When probably, not just Asia, but the entire world stands still. Because India take on Pakistan. Finish off your chores for the day, take good rest, get some lunch, drinks, popcorn, whatever you wish and be ready on your seats - the action begins at 10.30 am local (0930 GMT) in Manchester. Do do do tune in. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Double header number 4 of this World Cup ends! Australia trounced Sri Lanka while South Africa slowly got past Afghanistan to finally make a move on in the points table. They move to 7th while Australia are up at number 1.
Victorious South African captain, Faf du Plessis, feels that the Proteas performed much better today, with more intensity. On the slow approach, Faf says that they needed some runs under the belt, hence the need to bat out the first 10 overs carefully. Praises the bowlers for bowling well in the middle overs and also Tahir, for doing extremely well even on grounds with short boundaries. On the approach regarding the net run rate, du Plessis says that the initial thought was to see off the first 10 overs and then once the opening stand was past 70, Andile Phehlukwayo was padded up to finish off the game quickly. Is hoping that the team builds some confidence from this game.
Afghanistan skipper, Gulbadin Naib, manages a smile despite the defeat. Rues his luck on losing the toss and praises his side for starting well and putting up a fight. Admits that the Imran Tahir spell completely took them by surprise and is disappointed that the excellent start was wasted. Puts the onus on the batsmen to get 50-run partnerships. On Rashid Khan's innings, Gulbadin marvels at the team's batting depth which goes upto 9 but is quick to point out that the ones above Rashid need to take some responsibility and bat deeper, not throwing wickets away. On the team change today, Naib says that Najibullah was not performing too well in the last 2 games and Afghan is a senior, hence the change. Hopes to have Zadran back in form. On their next game against England, Naib hopes that something goes their way.
IMRAN TAHIR HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Says that he is really pleased with his job today but overall, he is happy to have contributed to the team's win. Stresses that the team was up for an on-off game and wanted to play with the same intensity after any such rain break. Praises the fast bowlers for setting up the tone. On the grass on the wicket, Tahir says that he knew he was not going to get any turn, so only looked to keep it wicket-to-wicket. Feels lucky that his experiments came out fruitful. On his celebrations, Immy says that he enjoys every wicket and feels that is the only way he can enjoy himself. Hopes to carry this momentum into the next game in Birmingham. On his battle with Rashid Khan, Tahir says that the Afghan leggie played a few good shots but now, he can run and whisper into his ear that he got his wicket.
Tough day at the office for Afghanistan. Started well with the bat, but then lost their way after the second rain break. With the ball, they barely could do much and had to settle with a solitary wicket. Rashid Khan could do nothing much with the ball either. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
After his half century, de Kock tried to finish the game off quickly but could not quite do so. Hashim Amla played a curious Warneresque innings, with his strike rate being even below 50. Certainly was not his own self. But at the end of the day, victory by 9 wickets and 116 balls to spare will be taken by the Proteas.
On a pitch which had juice, 125 might have been challenging. Might have been. But the sunshine during the innings break, wiped out any juice on offer. It was a nice pancake baked for the Proteas and the openers just feasted. Strangely though, they did not feel the need to accelerate and took their own sweet time to score.
The game ends at last. South Africa have laboured and laboured but eventually got those 2 crucial points. Perhaps they did not feel the need to go hammer and tongs, concentrating more on the win.
Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo. SIX! First six of the game and it will be the only one as Phehlukwayo finishes off in style. Tossed up on middle and off, Andile comes down the track and heaves it over long off for a maximum. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 9 WICKETS (DLS METHOD)
Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo. Floated on the stumps, Andile defends it.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. On the pads, Hashim flicks it to the on side and gets a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Tossed up on off, Amla nudges it to mid on.
Aftab Alam to Andile Phehlukwayo. We will have another over in this game, at least. Good length ball on middle and leg, Andile pulls it to mid-wicket.
Aftab Alam to Andile Phehlukwayo. Full on middle, Phehlukwayo looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Aftab Alam to Andile Phehlukwayo. WIDE! Sprays it down the leg side, Phehlukwayo looks to flick but misses. Wide signalled. Afghanistan players think it has flicked his pad.
Aftab Alam to Andile Phehlukwayo. Yorker on middle. Phehlukwayo does well to get his bat down in time. Aftab has a word with Andile. Don't know why he did that.
Aftab Alam to Andile Phehlukwayo. WIDE! Over does the bouncer. This one goes over his head and it has been wided.
Aftab Alam to Andile Phehlukwayo. Bouncer! Around the body and it on the eye line. Phehlukwayo sways away from it.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Back of a length ball on middle, Amla was initially looking to leave it but then plays the upper cut towards third man and gets a single.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Full on off, Amla pushes it to mid off.
Aftab Alam is back! Will it be the last over of the game?
Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo. On middle, Andile looks to play it on the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Tossed up on middle, Amla milks it to long on for a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo. In the air but safe. Floated on off, Phehlukwayo lofts it wide of long off. Zazai there does not go for the catch and they take just a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. On the pads, Amla turns it square on the leg side and gets a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. On middle again, Amla flicks it to mid-wicket and takes a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. On middle and leg, Amla flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.
Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo. FOUR! Crunched. On off, Phehlukwayo punches it hard through point for a boundary.
Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo. Outside off and quicker, Phehlukwayo looks to play the reverse sweep but misses.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Flighted on middle, Amla milks it down to long on and gets to the other end.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Full toss. A low one, Amla taps it to the man at mid on.
Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo. Shorter on middle and leg, Phehlukwayo strokes it towards cover and takes a single.
Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo. FOUR! Phehlukwayo has struck that really well. Tossed up on off, Andile gets down on one knee and sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Landed outside off, Amla looks to run it down to third man but is beaten due to the extra bounce.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo. Shorter in length, punched down to long on for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Andile Phehlukwayo. Tossed up outside off, Phehlukayo has a wild heave but there is no pace on the ball. An inside edge is eked towards short fine leg.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Short and outside off, punched behind point for a single.
Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo. On the pads, Phehlukwayo misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.
Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo. Tossed up on middle, Phehlukwayo brings out the reverse sweep but hits it to the man at backward point.
Rashid Khan to Andile Phehlukwayo. WIDE! Rashid misses his mark and sprays it down the leg side. Andile looks to flick but misses.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. On off, Amla pushes it towards sweeper cover and gets a single.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Flighted on middle and leg, Amla defends it with straight bat.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Flighted on off, Amla pushes it to the man at mid off.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Floated on the stumps, Amla blocks it.
Rashid Khan is back!
Gulbadin Naib to Andile Phehlukwayo. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid on. 5 runs and a wicket from the over.
South Africa doing an England. Andile Phehlukwayo comes in at number 3, with 23 needed.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Caught! Sharp catch from Mohammad Nabi. This won't be a 10-wicket win then. Full and around middle and leg, de Kock whips it away again, this time through mid-wicket but cannot quite keep it down, nor find the gap. Mohammad Nabi takes a good catch at short mid-wicket to his right, reacting swiftly. Then complains to the keeper that the sun was in his eyes. De Kock walks back with a wry smile. Must have been eyeing a not out.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Full and down the leg side, de Kock flicks it behind square leg and the ball races away to the fence.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Outside off, pushed towards point.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. On a length outside off, defended watchfully.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. On middle and leg, de Kock flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. On the pads, Amla turns it to the on side and gets a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Floated on the stumps, HA blocks it.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, Quinton flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. WIDE! It is way outside off, on the wrong side of the tramline. Wide signalled.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Flighted outside of, de Kock looks to sweep but misses. The ball hits him on his pad but maybe he got an inside edge on it.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Tossed up on off, Amla plays it towards point and gets a single.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball outside leg, de Kock looks to flick it but it tickles his pads on the way to the keeper.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball on off, de Kock makes room and looks to heave it over long on. He does not time it well so it does not reach the fence. The man from deep mid-wicket mops it up and they take two.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Once again the length is the same. It is on middle, de Kock hits it straight to the man at mid-wicket.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Full again around off, Amla strokes it wide of mid off and gets a single.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Full on middle, Amla defends it off the front foot.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball on off, de Kock guides it down to third man and gets a single.
Drinks Break! South Africa need just 36 runs to wrap this up. Getting back in this game for Afghanistan looks next to impossible now. They will still look to get a wicket or two which will boost their confidence.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Outside off, Amla looks to push it but misses.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Follows it up with a solid front foot defense.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Excellent shot. A sign of aggression from Amla. Tossed up on the pads, Amla hits it over square leg and gets a boundary.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Shorter on the stumps, de Kock defends it off the back foot.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Flighted around off, de Kock hits it sweetly to sweeper cover for a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up on off, de Kock comes down the track and looks to hit it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Outside off, Amla punches it to the man at cover.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, de Kock flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. MISFIELD AND FOUR! This is schoolboy stuff from Afghanistan. Back of a length ball on the body, de Kock pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. Rahmat Shah at deep mid-wicket gets it on a bounce but he misfields it and the ball goes away to the fence.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Outside off and full, Amla strokes it to sweeper cover and takes a run.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Full on off, Amla strokes it to mid on.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Good length ball on off, Amla tucks it to mid-wicket.
Gulbadin Naib is back!
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Nicely played. Full and outside off, Amla gets his bat down and gently reverse sweeps it through the vacant slip cordon to the third man fence.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Full and outside leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, Amla looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards point. A single taken.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Fifty comes up for de Kock with that boundary. The over ends the way it started. Floated on off, de Kock heaves it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary to reach his second fifty of this World Cup. His 23rd in ODIs.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Floated on off, de Kock defends it off the front foot.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up on off, de Kock looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, de Kock flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Short on off, de Kock cuts it towards backward point. The fielder misfields there and de Kock is quick between the wickets so he comes back for the second.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Rashid is unable to spin his magic here so far. He overpitches it on off, de Kock gets down on one knee and whacks his sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Mohammad Nabi to Hashim Amla. Flatter on off, de Kock blocks it to see off the over.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Now punches it wide of cover and gets a single.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Short on off, de Kock punches it to the man at cover.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Short on off, de Kock cuts it to the man at point.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Oh, almost had their first there. Off spinner on off, de Kock looks to defend but gets an inside edge which misses the stumps as it goes to the fine leg region.
Mohammad Nabi to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up on off, de Kock astutely blocks it.
Change of bowling then. Mohammad Nabi into the attack. Can he give Afghanistan something to smile?
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Floated on middle, Amla taps it back to the bowler.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, de Kock flicks it to the on side and gets a single.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up on middle, de Kock blocks it with confidence.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Flatter on the stumps, Quinton defends it.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. In the air but safe. Googly outside off, de Kock looks to play it towards cover by making room. He gets an outside edge which goes to the right of cover. Hamid Hassan there takes it casually and lets it go behind him allowing them to take two.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Short on middle and leg, de Kock pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket and gets a couple.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. On the stumps, Amla defends it to see off the over.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Shorter ball on off, de Kock pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. This time plays it wide of that man and gets a single.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Good length ball outside off, Amla cuts it to the man at point.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, de Kock flicks it towards mid-wicket for an easy single.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Good length ball around off, Amla cuts it wide of point and takes a single.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Very well played this. Rashid bowls it fast and short outside off, de Kock cuts it late past point and gets a boundary as the ball goes to the backward point fence. 50 comes up for South Africa with that boundary.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Short outside off, de Kock cuts it wide of point and gets a double.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Shorter on off, de Kock defends it off the back foot.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Good attempt from Rashid. Tossed up on middle, Amla hits it straight to the right of Rashid. He dives there and looks to stop it but the ball deflects off his fingers to long on. Aftab Alam throws it right on the face of Rashid who is down on the ground.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Close! Short and straight outside off, Amla looks to cut it but the ball just about misses the outside edge.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Floated and full on the pads, Amla flicks it to deep square leg and gets a single.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Outside off, Amla hits it to the man at point to get through the over.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Full on off, de Kock plays it towards long on off the inner half of his bat and gets an easy single. Afghanistan need to attack here. Only wickets can give them an outside chance.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. A very good looking pull but there is a man in the deep at mid-wicket so just one run for Amla.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Back of a length ball on off, de Kock pulls it to long on and gets a single.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Length ball on middle and off, de Kock looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pad.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Full on middle, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a couple.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Single to end the over. Outside off, de Kock punches it wide of cover and keeps the strike.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Full toss! De Kock does not make the most of it and hits it wide of the man at long on. The batsmen take two as Afghan in the deep mops it up.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. On the pads, Amla flicks it towards square leg and gets a single.
Rashid Khan to Hashim Amla. Shorter on the stumps, Hashim defends it off the back foot.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Floated around off, de Kock plays it wide of the man at point now and gets a single.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Short and wide outside off, de Kock cuts it uppishly towards the man at point.
POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 39th over, if the match goes till then.
Gulbadin Naib to Hashim Amla. Almost chopped on. Good length ball on off, Amla defends it but it goes just past the stumps. Not what many would have thought. South Africa have scored fewer runs than Afghanistan in Powerplay 1. 35/0 to 43/1.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball around off, de Kock hits it wide of third man and takes one. The running between the wickets is not the best as they could have taken two there.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Follows it up with a gentle push to mid on.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. IN THE AIR...FOUR! Comical this. You hardly see this in international cricket. Full on off, de Kock decides enough of the waiting game and he looks to loft it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies to the right of third man. Afghan at third man runs to his right and looks to stop the ball but it spins away from him and to the fence.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. On middle and full, de Kock pushes it to mid on.
Gulbadin Naib to Quinton de Kock. Full on off, de Kock plays it to the man at mid off.
The skipper has introduced himself into the attack. Afghanistan need a wicket and Naib feels he can provide them with it. Let's see.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Single to end the over. 5 runs off Rashid's first. Tossed up on middle and leg, de Kock strokes it towards mid-wicket and gets a single.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, de Kock turns it to the man at square leg.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Floated on off, de Kock looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up on middle and off, de Kock defends it with a straight bat.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. Flatter on off, de Kock blocks it off the front foot.
Rashid Khan to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Not the start Rashid would have wanted. Short on middle, de Kock gets on his back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket.
Rashid Khan into the attack.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Short ball to end the over. Amla sways away from it to see off the over.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Vintage Amla. Hassan is guilty of bowling it too full on middle and leg, Amla rolls back the years and plays a beautiful on drive for a boundary.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Good length ball away from the off stump, Amla leaves it confidently.
Hamid Hassan to Quinton de Kock. Around off, de Kock strokes it towards cover and takes a single.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Good length ball on off, Amla flicks it to the on side and calls for a single straightaway.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Outside off, Amla has nothing to do with it and leaves it alone.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! This should get de Kock going. Good length ball outside off, de Kock plants his front foot forwards and drives it between mid off and cover. Naib runs behind it from mid off but the ball beats him slowly to the ropes.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball on the stumps, Quinton taps it back to the bowler.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Outside off on a length, de Kock cuts it straight to the man at point.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball on middle and leg, de Kock looks to defend. He does so with the lower half of his bat. The ball bounces on the crease and onto his body.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Another good ball. The Afghanistan bowlers are bowling a very good line and length here. Outside off and it is back of a length, de Kock looks to hit it but misses. The ball just about beats his outside edge.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball coming in with the angle, de Kock looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Good length ball on middle, Amla tucks it to mid-wicket. Good over this. It is a maiden.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. On the pads, Amla looks to flick but misses and the ball gets hit on the pads.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Good length ball around off, Amla looks to defend but gets an inside edge which goes down towards point.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Bouncer! It is outside off, Amla leaves it alone.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Good length ball on middle, Amla looks to pull but gets an inside edge onto his body.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Outside off, Hashim leaves it alone.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Back of a length ball, Amla pulls it down to fine leg and gets a single.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. NOT OUT! Waste of a review this. Good length ball pitching on middle and coming in with the angle. Amla looks to flick but misses. The Afghanistan players put in an appeal and take the review as their appeal umpire turns it down. They take an hopeful appeal. Replays roll in and Hawk Eye shows the ball to be not just missing the leg pole with the angle but was also over the stumps.
A delayed review from Afghanistan. Looks high to the naked eye. Amla might just continue batting. Nothing on the Ultra Edge. And Hawk Eye shows it to be missing leg stump both on height and angle. Review lost early for Afghanistan.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Good shot and a very good fielding but all the good work is undone by a wild throw and poor backup. Outside off on a length, Amla punches it wide of cover. Rashid Khan dives to his left and stops the ball as they take a run. He has a shy at the bowler's end but it is wayward. Naib backing up slides to his right and fails to stop it in the first attempt and the batsmen take the second.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Good length ball outside off, it does not bounce as much as Hashim expects it to. He looks to cut but does so down the ground.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Pitches it on middle and leg and it comes in with the angle. De Kock flicks it to deep square leg and gets a single.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball on middle and off, de Kock defends it with a straight bat.
Hamid Hassan to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball around off, de Kock guides it down to third man and keeps the strike with a single. Afghanistan are bowling well here but they need a wicket desperately.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. This time drives it wide of the fielder at mid off and gets a single.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Full on off, Amla drives it to the man at mid off.
Hamid Hassan to Quinton de Kock. Outside off on a length, de Kock guides it down to third man and gets to the other end.
WORLD CUP 2019 UPDATE - Meanwhile, at The Oval, Australia have trounced Sri Lanka by 87 runs to go atop the table. Batting first, the Aussies put on 334/7 on the board. Sri Lanka in reply, were 115/0 in the 16th over but lost track once Kusal Perera departed.
Hamid Hassan to Quinton de Kock. Good ball this. Hassan hits the deck hard around off. The ball moves away after pitching, de Kock looks to tap it towards backward point but gets beaten.
Hamid Hassan to Quinton de Kock. Length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to play it on the off side but it comes off the inner half of the bat and goes back towards the bowler.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. On the pads, Amla looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Good length ball around off, Hashim defends it towards point.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Outside off, Amla leaves it alone.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Well left this. On a length and very close to the off stump, Hashim shoulders arms to it.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. EDGED AND FOUR! First one off the innings. It has not come off the middle but Amla will take it. Outside off on a length, Amla looks to play it on the off side but gets a thick inside edge which goes past the stumps towards the vacant fine leg fence.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Length ball on middle, de Kock strokes it wide of mid on and gets a single.
Hamid Hassan to Quinton de Kock. De Kock is off the mark too but not in a comfortable fashion. Good length ball on middle, it comes in after pitching. De Kock looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball then rolls towards cover and they take a quick single.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Back of a length ball around off, Amla taps it down to third man and gets off the mark. First run off the bat in this chase.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Shorter in length this, Amla tucks it to the man at mid-wicket.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Good carry. Back of a length ball outside off, Amla shoulders arms to it.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Outside off now, Amla strokes it uppishly towards the man at cover. It gets to the man there on the bounce.
Hamid Hassan to Hashim Amla. Good length ball on the line of the stumps, Amla taps it back to the bowler.
Hamid Hassan to bowl from the other end with the second new ball.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. A very good leave this one. Good length ball pitching outside off. It comes in slightly but de Kock knows where his off stump is and shoulders arms to it.
Aftab Alam to Quinton de Kock. Comes 'round the wicket to de Kock and hits the length hard outside off. There was a bit of away movement on this. De Kock initially looks to defend but then moves away from it.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. The chase is off the mark. On the pads, Amla looks to flick but it rolls off his thigh pad towards the fine leg region and they take a leg bye.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Bowls on the stump. It is on off and middle, Amla pushes it to the man at mid on.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Once again a straight ball on the fourth stump line, Amla lets it carry to the keeper.
Aftab Alam to Hashim Amla. Aftab starts with a fuller ball outside off. No movement on the first ball for him. Amla watchfully leaves it alone.
We are back for the chase! Afghanistan players are in a huddle as their skipper, Naib says last words of inspiration before the players take their respective positions in the field. Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock stride out to the middle to open the innings for South Africa. Aftab Alam to operate with the first new ball for Afghanistan.