Afghanistan’s cricket team achieved a historic milestone by securing their first one-day international (ODI) victory over South Africa in a comfortable six-wicket win in Sharjah, UAE. In the first match of a three-game series, South Africa was dismissed for just 106 runs in 33.3 overs, with their top order collapsing to 36-7 within the first 10 overs. Afghanistan was left with a modest target to chase, which they achieved easily in 26 overs with Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai steering their team to victory with an unbeaten 47-run partnership.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was instrumental in Afghanistan’s success, taking 4-35 to dismantle the South African top order on a flat track under hot weather conditions. Despite this challenging situation, Wiaan Mulder managed to top score for the Proteas with an impressive 52 off 84 balls, marking his highest ODI score and maiden fifty for South Africa. However, he was eventually bowled by Fazalhaq, leaving Afghanistan in a commanding position.
Mulder’s crucial 39-run partnership with Bjorn Fortuin for South Africa’s eighth wicket was a highlight in an otherwise lackluster innings. Fortuin’s 2-22 from nine overs acted as a temporary roadblock in Afghanistan’s chase, but it was not enough to prevent them from securing a historic victory. The South African team struggled to make an impact, with their batting lineup failing to deliver under pressure against Afghanistan’s strong bowling performance.
Despite the challenging conditions and pressure of the game, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai remained calm and composed as they guided Afghanistan to their first ODI win over South Africa. Their unbeaten partnership ensured a smooth victory for Afghanistan, who showcased their potential as a rising force in international cricket. This significant triumph is a major milestone for Afghan cricket and highlights the team’s growing confidence and skills on the global stage.
The victory over South Africa will boost Afghanistan’s morale and confidence as they look to build on this success in the remaining matches of the series. It also serves as a statement of intent from Afghanistan, showing that they are capable of competing at the highest level and defeating established cricketing nations. The team’s strong bowling performance and composed batting display against South Africa demonstrate their potential to challenge and defeat top teams in international cricket, setting the stage for an exciting future for Afghan cricket.
