1st ODI
Fazalhaq Farooqi spearheads Afghanistan’s first-ever victory over South Africa with a commanding performance
South Africa scored 106 in 33.3 overs, where as Afghanistan scored 107/4 in 26 overs.
So, finally Afghanistan beat South Africa by six wickets.
Afghanistan achieved a historic victory over South Africa in the opening ODI in Sharjah on Wednesday (September 18), marking their first-ever win against the Proteas.
Previously having lost all five of their encounters with South Africa, Afghanistan delivered a stellar bowling performance that triggered a dramatic batting collapse, echoing their recent T20 World Cup semifinal loss to the same opponent.
South Africa faltered badly during the powerplay, slipping to 36/7 after just 10 overs.
Wiaan Mulder’s resilient knock helped them surpass 100 runs, though Afghanistan faced a few tense moments in the chase.
Eventually, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai steered their team to a memorable victory.
With this win, Afghanistan has now defeated every full-member side in international cricket, except India.
Fazalhaq Farooqi set the tone by dismissing Reeza Hendricks early and following up with Aiden Markram’s wicket.
Tony de Zorzi fell to a top edge against Farooqi, and young off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar further stunned South Africa with a double-wicket maiden, sending Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith back for ducks.
From 29/5, South Africa stumbled to 36/7, coming perilously close to their lowest ODI score ever.
However, Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin fought back, with Mulder reaching a half-century and guiding South Africa past 100.
In the chase for 107, Afghanistan’s task was initially challenging.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a duck in the first over, and Fortuin soon removed Rahmat Shah.
Despite a cautious approach, South Africa’s disciplined bowling kept the pressure on.
Fortuin struck again, dismissing Riaz Hassan, and Markram trapped Hashmatullah Shahidi leg-before-wicket.
With 47 runs still required and the possibility of a tense finish, Omarzai eased the pressure with a couple of sixes.
Gulbadin Naib then took control, hitting successive sixes off Nandre Burger and finishing unbeaten on 34, guiding Afghanistan to victory on a historic evening for the team.
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