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Afghanistan Defeats South Africa in Thrilling World Cup Encounter

42nd Match Witness Intense Competition and a Narrow Victory

Ahmedabad, November 10, 2023

In a nail-biting clash at the Ahmedabad Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan emerged victorious over South Africa in the 42nd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The match kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout, with both teams showcasing their resilience and determination.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 247/5, with Najibullah Zadran contributing an impressive 69 runs and Hashmatullah Shahidi adding 52 runs. In response, South Africa began strongly, with Quinton de Kock leading the charge with a 65-run innings.

However, Afghanistan's bowlers tightened their grip on the game, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman claiming three wickets and Rashid Khan taking two. South Africa eventually reached 244/5, falling just 5 runs short of Afghanistan's total. Rassie van der Dussen's fighting 85 runs proved insufficient to secure a victory for his team.

The win marks a significant achievement for Afghanistan, who have now progressed to the knockout stages of the Cricket World Cup for the first time ever. South Africa, on the other hand, will need to regroup and regroup as they face a daunting task of qualifying for the semifinals.

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