Afghans fall short by 37 runs

South Africa beat Afghanistan by 37 runs in the Super Ten match of ICC World Twenty20 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.

Despite a flying start riding on Mohammad Shahzad's blistering knock of 44 off only 19 deliveries, Afghanistan kept losing wickets and finally were all out for 172 runs in 20 overs.

Earlier, South African batsmen posted a massive total of 209 runs for five wickets in 20 overs after Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis opted to bat first winning the toss.

Afghanistan batsman Mohammad Shahzad plays the upper cut against South Africa, World T20 2016, Group 1, Mumbai, March 20,2016. Photo: AP

Afghan bowlers made an early strike picking up the wicket of Hashim Amla in the third over of the game, but a 65-run stand in the second wicket between Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis helped the Proteas post 90 runs within 10 overs.

Plessis and Kock then fell in quick succession in the 10th and 12th overs respectively, when AB de Villiers came to bat and scored a prolific innings of 64 runs off only 29 deliveries to push South Africa towards a high total.

After Mohammad Nabi picked up de Villiers in the 18th over, late cameos by JP Duminy and David Miller helped South Africa pile up 209 runs at the end of 20 overs losing five wickets.