World Cup: Afghanistan bow out with heads held high despite defeat against South Africa
South Africa survived a spirited resistance from Afghanistan, and conquered their chasing blues for once, to enter the World Cup semi-finals with a five-wicket victory
Pacer Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowlers at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday with figures of 4/44
Azmatullah Omarzai’s fighting 97 not out however, helped Afghanistan post 244 on the board after being reduced to 116/6 at one stage
The spinners then kept the Afghans alive in the contest thereafter, collecting wickets at regular intervals after a 64-run opening stand
Rashid Khan dismissed Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen in quick succession, reducing the Proteas to 139/4 a little more than halfway into the chase
Rassie van der Dussen, however, remained calm and stitched a match-winning 65-run stand with Andile Phehlukwayo to guide the Proteas home
Afghanistan, however, can hold their heads high at the end of a stellar World Cup campaign where they defeated England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and nearly conquered Australia