Proteas drub England to top group and crush Afghanistan's faint hopes

Putting up a superb fielding show to back a strong bowling display, South Africa extended England's woes and confirmed top spot in Group B of the Champions Trophy with a seven-wicket win at Karachi's National Stadium on Saturday.

- Sanjeev K Samyal

MUMBAI:

The doughty Afghanistan team's faint hopes of making the semis had depended on England handing South Africa a real thrashing, but to the disappointment of their fans, a poor batting display by England extinguished their hopes semis by the halfway stage of the game.

Due to their poor net run rate of -0.99, Afghanistan needed South Africa to lose by at least 207 runs (chasing 301) to move up to second. The England batters though flopped, dismissed for 179 in 39.2 overs. Rassie van der Dussen (72 not out) and Heinrich Klaasen (64) then led the comfortable chase, achieved inside 30 overs losing just three wickets. In bowling, left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen led with 3/39 with Wiaan Mulder and spinner Keshav Maharaj taking three and two wickets respectively.

The highlight of their performance was two wonder catches, by Jansen (Harry Brook) and Lungi Ngidi (Jamie Overton).