Afghanistan : On Wednesday, September 18, Afghanistan won its maiden ODI against South Africa in Sharjah.The South African team was bowled out for 106 against Afghanistan’s powerful bowling attack, despite missing most of its players from the series.
The Afghan side led by Hashmatullah Shahidi struggled early in the chase, but eventually won by six wickets to make history. Afghanistan’s top bowler was in-form pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took four wickets, while youthful spinner Allah Gazanfar took three.
Afghanistan has previously failed to defeat South Africa in two one-day internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals. However, they outperformed the Proteas in every category at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, putting an end to their quest for their first victory.
Earlier, stand-in captain Aiden Makram won the toss and elected to bat first, with all-rounder Jason Smith making his debut in an ODI.However, his decision to bat first backfired, as the Proteas lost their first seven wickets and scored only 36 runs in 10 overs.
However, Wiaan Mulder then scored his first international fifty with 52 runs to assist South Africa avoid their lowest ODI total. Farooqi continued his red-hot form with four wickets for 35, bringing his ODI total to 100. Gazanfar seized 3 wickets for 30 runs, with Rashid Khan taking 2 for the hosts.
Following the game, Markram accepted the unfortunate loss and stated that his side will return with a better game plan for the second game on Friday.
“We were some runs short,” Aiden Markram admitted after the game ended. “Some good honest reflections can take place tonight and tomorrow, and we can make better plans on Friday.” They made things difficult for us, but I still believe we are a better hitting unit. We need solid game plans to put pressure back on them. We couldn’t put them under pressure. Honest learnings. We’ll try to bounce back. Gameplans and methods would change for each individual, but as long as they followed the team’s guidelines, we would be good.”
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As if Farooqi wasn’t enough, teenager Allah Ghazanfar joined the party by dismissing dangerous Tristan Stubbs for duck. In the same over, South Africa’s rookie Jason Smith was dismissed for a five-ball duck. South Africa quickly fell to 29/5, fearing they would be bowled out for their lowest-ever ODI total of 69 against Australia in Sydney in 1993.
The Afghan duo kept generating havoc, and by the end of the power-play, South Africa was reeling at 36/7. Their difficulties were compounded by the odd expulsion of Andile Phehlukwayo, who found himself beyond the crease after facing the ball. Gulbadin Naib, the wicketkeeper, soon ran him out.
Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin teamed up to get the team out of difficulty, but the latter was quickly bowled by Rashid Khan in a wicket-maiden over.
Nonetheless, Mulder led the fightback, while Nandre Burger held down the fort on the other end. Mulder saved his team from embarrassment by appearing at ease at the crease and scoring his first ODI fifty in 80 deliveries.
Farooqi, bowling him, ended his excellent knock. Rashid Khan took Lungi Ngidi’s wicket, bringing South Africa’s innings to a finish at 106. Farooqi, who took four wickets in the match, became Afghanistan’s 100th international wicket taker in his 75th innings.
Afghanistan playing XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
South Africa’s playing XI
Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, and Nandre Burger.
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