South Africa pace too much for Afghanistan

South Africa won through to the second round of the World Twenty20 with a 59-run win as newcomers Afghanistan were bowled out for just 80 at the Kensington Oval here on Wednesday.

The Afghanistan top order had no answer to fast bowlers Morne Morkel, the man of the match, with four wickets for 20 runs, Dale Steyn (two for six) and Charl Langeveldt (three for 12).

But the lowest record score in a Twenty20 international remains the 67 made by Kenya against Ireland in Belfast in 2008.

Kenya also hold the corresponding World Twenty20 record of 73, set against New Zealand in Durban in 2007.

Afghanistan fast bowler Hamid Hassan, who earlier took an impressive three wickets, took his team's score off 67 by swinging left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe for six.

Hassan (22) and fellow tailender Mirwais Ashraf (23) prevented what had looked like a record-breaking rout although South Africa still won with four overs to spare. AFP

South Africa: 139 (G. Smith 27, J. Kallis 34, JP Duminy 25, A Morkel 23, Hamid Hassan 3 for 21)

Afghanistan: 80 (Samiullah Shenwari 11, Mirwas Ashraf 23, Hamid Hassan 22, D.Steyn 2 for 6, C. Langeveldt 3 for 12, M Morkel 4 for 20)