NEW DELHI: Afghanistan asserted their dominance over South Africa in the first One Day International at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, securing a comfortable six-wicket victory.
The Afghan bowlers, spearheaded by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai , dismantled the South African batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 106 runs. This paved the way for a relatively straightforward chase, despite a few early hiccups, with Afghanistan reaching the target in 26 overs.
South Africa, electing to bat first after winning the toss, endured a disastrous start. The usually dependable opening pair of Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi could only muster 17 runs before Farooqi made the initial breakthrough, dismissing Hendricks for 9 runs. This triggered a catastrophic collapse, with South Africa plummeting to a precarious 36-7.
Farooqi proved to be a constant menace, claiming the crucial wickets of stand-in captain Aiden Markram (2) and de Zorzi (11), finishing with impressive figures of 4-35. His new-ball partner, Azmatullah Omarzai, was equally effective, dismantling the middle order with figures of 3-20. Omarzai's victims included Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith, both dismissed for ducks, and the struggling Kyle Verreynne for 10.
Adding to South Africa's woes, a moment of miscommunication resulted in Andile Phehlukwayo's run-out. As Omarzai appealed for leg before, Phehlukwayo wandered out of his crease, allowing a swift run-out opportunity that Nabi capitalized on.
With the scoreboard reading a dismal 36-7 in the 10th over, South Africa faced the ignominious prospect of recording their lowest ever ODI total, a record set at 69 runs against Australia in 1993. However, a resilient eighth-wicket partnership between Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin provided some respite.
The pair added a crucial 39 runs, steering South Africa clear of the ignominy of their lowest score. Fortuin, displaying composure under pressure, top-scored with 39 runs before falling to Rashid Khan , who was returning to ODI cricket after the previous year's World Cup. Mulder, showcasing grit and determination, reached his maiden ODI half-century, eventually dismissed for a well-compiled 52 off 84 deliveries, an innings that included five boundaries and a six.
Khan, displaying his trademark guile, finished with figures of 2-30, wrapping up the South African innings in the 34th over by trapping Lungi Ngidi leg before wicket.
Despite the comfortable margin of victory, Afghanistan's chase was not without its share of early jitters. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed on the third ball of the innings, caught at third man off Ngidi's bowling. The usually dependable Rahmat Shah soon followed, adjudged leg before wicket to Fortuin, leaving Afghanistan precariously placed at 15-2.
Fortuin continued to pose problems, dismissing Riaz Hassan for 16, while Markram chipped in with the wicket of Hashmatullah Shahidi. However, a composed partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai (25 not out) and Gulbadin Naib (34 off 27 balls) steered Afghanistan home, ensuring a comprehensive victory in the opening encounter.
The Afghan bowlers, spearheaded by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai , dismantled the South African batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 106 runs. This paved the way for a relatively straightforward chase, despite a few early hiccups, with Afghanistan reaching the target in 26 overs.
South Africa, electing to bat first after winning the toss, endured a disastrous start. The usually dependable opening pair of Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi could only muster 17 runs before Farooqi made the initial breakthrough, dismissing Hendricks for 9 runs. This triggered a catastrophic collapse, with South Africa plummeting to a precarious 36-7.
Farooqi proved to be a constant menace, claiming the crucial wickets of stand-in captain Aiden Markram (2) and de Zorzi (11), finishing with impressive figures of 4-35. His new-ball partner, Azmatullah Omarzai, was equally effective, dismantling the middle order with figures of 3-20. Omarzai's victims included Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith, both dismissed for ducks, and the struggling Kyle Verreynne for 10.
Adding to South Africa's woes, a moment of miscommunication resulted in Andile Phehlukwayo's run-out. As Omarzai appealed for leg before, Phehlukwayo wandered out of his crease, allowing a swift run-out opportunity that Nabi capitalized on.
History in Sharjah! š©#AfghanAtalan have delivered a stellar performance to defeat South Africa for the first time in international cricket and take the 1st match of the ongoing ODI series.
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 18, 2024
Congratulations to the team and the entire nation! š#GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/h3iRwRQiNz
With the scoreboard reading a dismal 36-7 in the 10th over, South Africa faced the ignominious prospect of recording their lowest ever ODI total, a record set at 69 runs against Australia in 1993. However, a resilient eighth-wicket partnership between Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin provided some respite.
The pair added a crucial 39 runs, steering South Africa clear of the ignominy of their lowest score. Fortuin, displaying composure under pressure, top-scored with 39 runs before falling to Rashid Khan , who was returning to ODI cricket after the previous year's World Cup. Mulder, showcasing grit and determination, reached his maiden ODI half-century, eventually dismissed for a well-compiled 52 off 84 deliveries, an innings that included five boundaries and a six.
Khan, displaying his trademark guile, finished with figures of 2-30, wrapping up the South African innings in the 34th over by trapping Lungi Ngidi leg before wicket.
Despite the comfortable margin of victory, Afghanistan's chase was not without its share of early jitters. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed on the third ball of the innings, caught at third man off Ngidi's bowling. The usually dependable Rahmat Shah soon followed, adjudged leg before wicket to Fortuin, leaving Afghanistan precariously placed at 15-2.
Fortuin continued to pose problems, dismissing Riaz Hassan for 16, while Markram chipped in with the wicket of Hashmatullah Shahidi. However, a composed partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai (25 not out) and Gulbadin Naib (34 off 27 balls) steered Afghanistan home, ensuring a comprehensive victory in the opening encounter.
