Twitter Reactions: South Africa conquer the 'chase demon' with five-wicket win over Afghanistan

South Africa finished their league stages of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on  a winning note as they beat Afghanistan by five wickets on Friday, November 10 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. After opting to bat first, Afghanistan were bundled out for 244 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, South Africa chased down the target in 47.3 overs as Rassie van der Dussen guided them home.

South Africa’s chase got off to a good start as openers Temba Bavuma (23 off 28) and Quinton de Kock (41 off 47) added 64 runs for the first wicket off 66 balls. However, the duo was dismissed within a space of eight balls to leave South Africa on 66/2 after 13.1 overs. Aiden Markram walked in at number four and added 50 runs for the third wicket off 60 balls.

Also Check: David Miller's hilarious juggling catch leaves Lungi Ngidi in splits during SA vs AFG clash

Rashid Khan (2/37, 10 overs) broke the stand and brought Afghanistan back in the game by dismissing Markram (25 off 32) and Heinrich Klaasen (10 off 13). South Africa were further put under a precarious situation as Mohammad Nabi (2/35, 10 overs) dismissed David Miller (24 off 33) to leave them at 182/5 after 37.1 overs. However, an unbeaten 65*-run stand between Rassie van der Dussen (76* off 95) and Andile Phehlukwayo (39* off 37) saw them home in 47.3 overs.

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan got off to a decent start as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (25 off 22) and Ibrahim Zadran (15 off 30) added 41 runs for the first wicket off 49 balls. However, Afghanistan lost the opening duo and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (2 off 7) in back-to-back overs to be left reeling at 45/3 after 10.5 overs.

Azmatullah Omarzai scored a brilliant 97* in the first innings

Azmatullah Omarzai walked in number five and held one end as wickets kept on falling from the other. He went on to play a magnificent innings of 97* (107) smashing seven fours and three sixes. He unfortunately fell three runs short of his hundred as he ended up playing dot balls on the last three deliveries of the innings. Courtesy of his knock, Afghanistan finished their innings on 244 in their allotted 50 overs.

Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa as he picked up 4/44 in ten overs while Lungi Ngidi (2/69, 8.3 overs) and Keshav Maharaj (2/25, 10 overs) also picked up two wickets each.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table  

Meanwhile, X wax abuzz with reactions on South Africa's win. Here are some of the posts: