Afghanistan Secures Historic Victory Over South Africa in International Cricket

Tags: Afghanistan v South Africa in UAE 2024,
Afghanistan vs South Africa, 1st ODI at Sharjah, Sep 18, 2024,
Afghanistan,
South Africa

Printed on: Sep 19, 2024

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In a landmark achievement for Afghan cricket, Afghanistan recorded its first-ever victory over South Africa in worldwide cricket, led by a stellar bowling efficiency from Fazalhaq Farooqi and 18-year-old spin sensation Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar.

South Africa, having gained the toss and opted to bat, rapidly regretted the choice. Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early, sending shockwaves by means of the South African lineup by dismissing top-order batsmen Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram. His dominance didn’t finish there, as he additionally took the wicket of Tony de Zorzi, leaving South Africa struggling to get well.

The turning level within the match, nonetheless, got here with the introduction of the younger prodigy Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. In a blinding show of spin bowling, Ghazanfar dismantled South Africa’s center order, eradicating each Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith for geese in the identical over. At 29/5, South Africa was in full disarray. Ghazanfar then additional capitalized on the stress, claiming the wickets of Kyle Verreynne and Andile Phehlukwayo, with Phehlukwayo falling sufferer to a run-out.

Regardless of resistance from Wiaan Mulder, who contributed a gritty half-century, and Bjorn Fortuin, South Africa may solely submit a meager whole of 106 runs. With such a modest goal, Afghanistan confronted the duty of sustaining composure to safe the historic win.

Afghanistan’s chase was not with out its challenges, however Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib steadied the ship with an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership, guiding Afghanistan to a memorable victory. Their composed batting ensured that Afghanistan reached the goal, etching their names in cricket historical past.

This victory holds particular significance for Afghanistan because it marks their first-ever conquer South Africa in any format, having beforehand misplaced all 5 encounters. Only recently, Afghanistan was bowled out for a disappointing 56 runs within the semi-finals of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2024 by the identical opposition, making this win much more satisfying.

With this consequence, Afghanistan has now registered wins in opposition to all main cricketing nations, with the exceptions of India and Nepal, the latter being a uncommon encounter with only one match performed. This milestone victory displays Afghanistan’s rising stature in worldwide cricket and showcases the emergence of younger expertise like Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, alongside the constant brilliance of Fazalhaq Farooqi.