SA beat AFG by 9 wickets (D/L method) | Afghanistan vs South Africa, Highlights And Cricket Score 21th ODI Match

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.

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.