Pace propels Afghanistan to first-ever ODI win over South Africa

Afghanistan took on South Africa within the first ODI on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 18. After successful the toss, South Africa opted to bat first and handled early blows as Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram have been again within the hut, scoring simply 9 and two runs respectively. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Ghazanfar wreaked havoc and the Proteas center order crumbled to sheer Afghani tempo.

Whereas the highest three batters of the lineup fell to Farooqi, the next three have been pocketed by Ghazanfar. The one substantial knock got here on the finish of Wiaan Mulder, because the quantity seven contributed an important 52 off 84. All it took for Afghanistan to bundle South Africans was 33.3 overs, as they have been wrapped up for a meager 106. Farooqi shocked them with a four-fer and Ghazanfar, taking part in his solely second ODI, picked three.

Afghanistan’s chase was not a cakewalk as Bjorn Fortuin breathed hearth with the brand new ball. Lungi Ngidi picked Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the third ball of the innings and Rahmat Shah was outdone by Fortuin. Riaz Hassan ended his arduous 16 off 35 balls knock and Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed as many runs.

The partnership of Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib for the fifth wicket was a much-needed one for the hosts because the duo put up 47 runs and acquired Afghanistan to a well-known six-wicket victory. Omarzai and Naib remained unbeaten on 25 and 34 respectively. Afghanistan lead the three-match ODI collection by 1-0.