World Twenty20: De Villiers stars in South Africa win over Afghanistan

AB de Villiers smashed 29 off an over before South Africa were given a scare in a 37-run win over Afghanistan at the World Twenty20 in Mumbai.

De Villiers took Rashid Khan for four sixes and a four in his 29-ball 64 to propel the Proteas to 209-5.

South Africa were worried by Afghanistan opener Mohammad Shahzad, who hit five sixes in a 19-ball 44.

But after he was bowled by Chris Morris, who took 4-27, Afghanistan fell away to 172 all out.

South Africa, beaten by England in their opening match, are still to face West Indies and Sri Lanka in a Group 1 that could yet be decided on net run-rate.

Afghanistan will be eliminated if they lose to England on Wednesday, but the only nation outside of Test cricket still left in the competition again showed they can compete at this level.

De Villiers does it again

De Villiers has got form for devastating hitting in white-ball cricket, holding the record for the fastest century and 150 in one-day internationals.

Here, with the Proteas in danger of falling short of a winning total, he dished out some brutal treatment to 17-year-old leg-spinner Rashid.

• 16.1 overs - Six - too short, pulled over mid-wicket

• 16.2 overs - Four - stepping back to pull, almost offering a catch to the boundary fielder

• 16.3 overs - Six - advancing to hit straight

• 16.4 overs - Six - another short ball, a bigger hit over mid-wicket

• 16.5 overs - Six - standing still to belt straight once more

• 16.6 overs - One - a single down the ground to keep the strike

It was the joint-fourth most expensive over at the World T20, with De Villiers sweeping Mohammad Nabi for another six from the first ball of the following over before holing out on the mid-wicket fence.

In all, the Proteas took 71 off the final four overs to reach the sixth-highest World T20 total.

South Africa scared by Shahzad

South Africa already had one bad experience at a run-filled Wankhede Stadium, conceding 230 to lose to England on Friday.

In response, they omitted Dale Steyn for David Wiese, then saw new-ball pair Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott flayed by the unorthodox Shahzad.

Swinging and swiping, Shahzad heaved four of his five sixes over the leg side, taking Afghanistan to 47-0 from only three overs.

However, he was eventually contained by the control of the excellent Morris and bowled at the end of the fourth over.

From there regular wickets, including two each for Rabada, Abbott and leg-spinner Imran Tahir, saw Afghanistan bowled out off the final ball of the innings.

What they said

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis: "I did feel a little bit of déjà vu when Shehzad was batting. There were some really good shots being played and immediately you're under pressure in the field.

"Chris Morris stood up for us and gave us a bit of aggression.

"Once again our batting was really solid, but our extras let us down and that's why we let teams get closer than they should. I think we're going to a different continent for the next game, so obviously that means a change of strategy.

Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai: "The wicket was good for batting. We lack experienced bowlers and their total was a bit high for us. Shehzad started very well, but we lost his wicket very early."