Afghanistan Register Their First Ever ODI Win Over South Africa

 

Afghanistan created another piece of history as they defeated South Africa in the first One-day international match played at Sharjah Cricket Ground, Sharjah on 18^th September 2024.

South African stand-in captain Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bat first. Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi began off on a positive note before Fazalhaq Farooqi struck twice dismissing Hendricks and Markram taking an inside edge onto the stumps. The left-arm pace bowler Farooqi did the damage getting rid of Zorzi with a simple catch to Shahidi at mid-on.

Ghazanfar produced the magic getting his first wicket in international cricket dismissing Stubbs to hit the wicketkeeper straight into the hands of Nabi at slips.  He then produced another peach to dismiss debutant Jason Smith. Afghanistan put enough pressure on South African batting as young Ghazanfar struck again producing another good delivery to dismiss Kyle Verryene. Andile Phehlukwayo was superbly run out by presence of mind by Gulbaidn Naib leaving South Africa in deep trouble at 36 for 7 ending the first powerplay.

Wiaan Mulder provided the stability while Fortuin looked impressive with his defensive technique. Both showed some abilities with the bat keeping the scoreboard ticking. Rashid Khan got a much-needed breakthrough dismissing Fortuin. Mulder and Fortuin added 39 runs for the 8^th wicket.

Mulder showed his class with attacking shots while Burger gave good support to him. It was a superb piece of batting by Mulder reaching his maiden ODI fifty off 80 deliveries. Farooqi eventually got the wicket of Mulder to ensure that Afghanistan bowled out South Africa for a modest total. Mulder and Burger added 30 runs for the 9^th wicket. Burger faced 18 deliveries without opening his account. Rashid Khan showed his class to dismiss Ngidi to bundle out South Africa for 106 in 33.3 overs.

Chasing a modest total of 107 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for Afghanistan as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed in the first over itself providing an easy catch to Smith. South African pace bowlers did not allow the Afghanistan batters scoring runs easily.

After sustained pressure by South African bowlers, Fortuin dismissed Riaz Hasan leaving Afghanistan in some trouble. At the end of the first 10 overs, Afghanistan scored 22 for 2.

South Africa kept the pressure on Afghanistan batters picking wickets of Rahmat Shah and captain Shahidi. Azamatullah Omarzai and Naib showed intent right from the word go putting enough pressure on SA bowlers. Both added unbeaten 47 runs for the 5^th wicket helping Afghanistan register a six-wicket win with 24 overs to spare.

Afghanistan 107 for 4 in 26 overs (Naib 34*, Omarzai 25*, Fortuin 2/22) beat South Africa 106 for 10 in 33.3 overs (Mulder 52, Farooqi 4/35, Ghazanfar 3/20) by 6 wickets.

For his figures of 4 for 35 in 7 overs, Fazalhaq Farooqi was named the player of the match. Afghanistan takes a 1-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series. The second match will be played on 20^th September 2024.

Afghanistan stun South Africa in the first ODI at Sharjah