WT20: South Africa survives early scare to beat Afghanistan

Published Mar. 20, 2016 1:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

MUMBAI, India (AP) South Africa avoided another bowling nightmare to revive its World Twenty20 campaign and beat inexperienced Afghanistan by 37 runs in the Group 1 match on Sunday.

Chasing South Africa's daunting 209-5, opener Mohammad Shahzad smashed 44 off just 19 balls before medium-fast Chris Morris grabbed 4-27 to dismiss Afghanistan for 172 in 20 overs.

Earlier, AB de Villiers capitalized on two dropped catches to hit 64 off 29 balls. Left-handed opener Quinton de Kock made 45 and South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who won the toss and elected to bat, got 41.

South Africa lost the first match against England, which chased down a WT20 record 230-8 at the same venue on Friday to win by two wickets. Afghanistan was beaten by defending champions Sri Lanka.