South Africa march on
South Africa have reached the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 after beating Afghanistan by 59 runs in their final Group C clash in Bridgetown.
After posting a total of 139 for seven from their 20 overs, South Africa skittled their opponents for 80 in 16 overs.
It could have been worse for the Afghans had Mirwais Ashraf not spared their blushes slightly following his introduction towards the end of the seventh over as, at 25 for seven, they looked on course for a hefty defeat. Ashraf added 23 before being bowled by Charl Langeveldt, departing with his team at 65 for nine.
Afghanistan never looked likely to get near their target after losing a flurry of early wickets and for a long while it looked as it if they were to set a new record for the lowest innings total in a Twenty20 international.
Opener Noor Ali was out for a duck as was Mohammad Nabi with the latter departing to Morne Morkel, who took four for 20 from just three overs.
Afghanistan rallied somewhat when Samiullah Shenwari stepped up to the crease and he posted 11 before being run out by AB de Villiers. Ashraf and Hamid Hassan (22) then ensured Afghanistan at least beat Kenya's embarrassing total of 67 against Ireland in 2008.
Earlier, Jacques Kallis (34 off 33 balls) and skipper Graeme Smith (27 off 14) were part of a purposeful start for South Africa as the Proteas brought up 50 off just 34 balls.
Afghanistan captain Nowroz Mangal won the toss and opted to give the Proteas first use of a hard surface under a baking sun.
The wisdom of that decision appeared to be in question when Shapoor Zadran's opening over was dismissed for 12 runs by Smith, but Smith's opening partner Loots Bosman did not get the chance to take the attack to the Afghan bowlers as he was run out for a duck after he hesitated over coming back for a second to leave the score at 13 for one.
South Africa rather lost their way in the middle stages of the innings with Hassan (three for 21) helping Afghanistan slow the run-rate as wickets fell consistently, but JP Duminy (25) and Albie Morkel (23) revitalised the innings in the final overs, with Duminy launching two sixes, one of them from a mis-hit, off Nabi's final over.
