SA vs AFG ICC CWC 2023 Match 42 Report: South Africa will be thanking Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo now as their partnership produced 65 runs from 62 balls, which helped them surpass Afghanistan in a nerve-wracking chase. With the win, they booked a ticket to the semifinal, in which they will face Australia on Thursday, November 18.
Phehlukwayo’s entrance at No. 7, with South Africa needing 63 runs and Afghanistan’s spinners gaining momentum, added drama to the game. However, Phehlukwayo’s unbeaten 39, highlighted by powerful shots (6, 4, 6), and van der Dussen’s controlled innings of 76 not out ensured South Africa’s successful pursuit.
Earlier in the day, Gerald Coetzee (4-44) and Keshav Maharaj (2-25) played instrumental roles in restricting Afghanistan to 244 in 50 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai’s resilient unbeaten 97 salvaged Afghanistan’s innings, preventing a lower total. Despite this, South Africa’s bowlers, led by Coetzee, controlled the game.
After the openers provided a solid start, Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Rashid Khan, made a strong comeback. Temba Bavuma (23) and Quinton de Kock (41) fell in quick succession, applying pressure on South Africa. However, van der Dussen’s stability and Phehlukwayo’s aggressive finish dispelled any doubts about South Africa’s chasing capabilities.
Van der Dussen, named Player of the Match, showcased his consistency in the World Cup with an unbeaten 76, his fourth fifty-plus score in the tournament. As per the SA vs AFG ICC CWC 2023 Match 42 Report, his calculated innings included effective strike rotation and well-timed boundaries, maintaining South Africa’s dominance even as wickets fell.
In the first innings, Afghanistan, opting to bat, faced a challenging target to move to fourth place on the points table. Maharaj and Coetzee’s early breakthroughs disrupted Afghanistan’s top order. Despite Omarzai’s impressive resistance and a late assault, Afghanistan posted a defendable total.
Afghanistan’s campaign in the World Cup concludes on a high note, securing their best-ever performance and confirming a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy. South Africa advances to a semi-final clash against Australia, eyeing a return to Ahmedabad for the final on November 19.
SA vs AFG ICC CWC 2023 Match 42 Report: Score Summary
South Africa
247 for 5 (van der Dussen 76*, de Kock 41, Nabi 2-35, Rashid 2-37)
Afghanistan
244 (Omarzai 97*, Coetzee 4-44, Maharaj 2-25)
South Africa won by five wickets.
CHECK OUT:
SA vs AFG ICC CWC 2023 Match 42 Report
South Africa vs Afghanistan World Cup 2023 Highlights
Get ICC World Cup 2023 Live Score & ICC World Cup 2023 Team Squads along with ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at IceCric.News and Follow for Live Updates – Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
