A brilliant bowling performance led Afghanistan to their first-ever win over South Africa in international cricket. Afghanistan claimed victory by six wickets in the first ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bat first. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s opening bowlers, Fazalhaq Farooqi and AM Ghazanfar, dismantled the South African batting lineup during the powerplay, leaving them reeling at a below-par 36 for 7 after just ten overs. Later, a brief 39-run partnership between Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin helped the Proteas avoid their lowest ODI total of 69 runs.
Ultimately, they bowled out for a meager 106 runs in 33.3 overs, with Mulder scoring 52 off 84 deliveries, including five boundaries and one maximum. For Afghanistan, Farooqi claimed a four-wicket haul for 35 runs while Ghazanfar and Rashid Khan finished with figures of 3/20 and 2/30, respectively.
Afghanistan also faced early challenges, losing the wicket of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with the wicketkeeper-batter leaving the crease for a three-ball duck. However, they managed to steady their innings. After being at 38 for 3 in the 14th over, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi anchored the innings, scoring 16 runs. Meanwhile, a crucial 47-run partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai (25* off 36) and Gulbadin Naib (34* off 27) helped Afghanistan secure a convincing victory. It is worth noting that Afghanistan completed the chase effortlessly, finishing with 24 overs to spare.
In the first innings, Farooqi’s initial over cost him 14 runs, which prompted him to change his bowling angle. It proved effective as he sent back Reeza Hendricks with a wide delivery and quickly followed up by taking the wickets of Markram and Tony de Zorzi. Ghazanfar, on the other hand, struck in his fourth over, removing Tristan Stubbs back and then Jason Smith. South Africa struggled against Ghazanfar’s spin, which saw him dismissing Kyle Verreynne, who was lbw after a review.
With the Proteas at 36 for 7, Andile Phehlukwayo was run out by Gulbadin Naib in the tenth over. Despite Mulder’s half-century, South Africa did not find the pace as Afghanistan’s bowlers remained relentless. As South Africa’s innings ended in just 34 overs it raised questions about their batting approach against a low-ranked team.