By the time Afghanistan’s innings ended, its hopes of making it to the World Cup semifinals were already over. They needed to win by at least 438 runs against South Africa to stay in the hunt, but batting first, the Afghans could only amass 244, despite a remarkable innings by Azmatullah Omarzai (97, 107b, 7x4, 3x6).
The fifty-odd Afghan nationals present at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday, still hoped for a winning-end to the team’s campaign. Their cheers and chanting of slogans in Pashto, however, turned futile as South Africa pulled off a five-wicket win, riding on Rassie van der Dussen’s unbeaten 76 (95b, 6x4, 1x6).
Having already sealed a spot in the last-four stage, for South Africa, it was all about getting back its mojo after a humiliating defeat against India last week. In pursuit of 245, it started off cautiously with captain Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock forging a 64-run stand. Bavuma, who suffered a hamstring injury, batted gingerly before holing out to deep square leg off Mujeeb ur Rahman.
