SHARJAH: Afghanistan secured a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the opening one-day international in Sharjah on Wednesday, dismissing the Proteas for just 106 runs.
Despite avoiding their lowest-ever ODI score, South Africa struggled against a disciplined Afghan bowling attack led by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took 4 wickets for 35 runs, and AM Ghazanfar, who claimed 3 for 20. This impressive bowling performance set up a comfortable chase for Afghanistan.
The Afghan innings got off to a shaky start, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz on just the third ball, caught off Lungi Ngidi, and Rahmat Shah soon fell leg before wicket to Bjorn Fortuin, leaving Afghanistan at 15-2. Fortuin also dismissed Riaz Hassan for 16 and Hashmatullah Shahidi, as Afghanistan faced early pressure.
However, Azmatullah Omarzai (25 not out) and Gulbadin Naib (34 off 27 balls) steadied the innings, guiding Afghanistan to victory in 26 overs.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, South Africa’s opening pair, Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi, managed just 17 runs before Farooqi struck, bowling Hendricks for 9 and igniting a batting collapse that saw South Africa slump to 36-7.
Farooqi added the wickets of captain Aiden Markram (2) and de Zorzi (11), while Ghazanfar dismissed both Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith for ducks, along with Kyle Verreynne for 10.
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South Africa’s woes continued when Andile Phehlukwayo was run out by Nabi while attempting a leg-before appeal against Ghazanfar. With only 10 overs bowled, the Proteas looked at risk of breaking their record-lowest ODI score of 69, set against Australia in 1993.
An eighth-wicket partnership of 39 between Wiaan Mulder and Fortuin offered some resistance, helping them surpass the low mark. Fortuin was bowled by Rashid Khan, returning to ODI cricket since last year’s World Cup, but Mulder reached his first ODI fifty, scoring 52 off 84 balls with five fours and a six.
Rashid wrapped up South Africa’s innings in 33.3 overs, bowling Ngidi leg before wicket to finish with figures of 2 for 30.
