Afghanistan vs. South Africa
Afghanistan made cricketing history by defeating South Africa for the first time in any format of international cricket. This historic moment unfolded on Wednesday during the first ODI of a three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack bowled out South Africa for a meagre 106 runs. In response, Afghanistan chased down the target with ease, losing just four wickets and finishing the match in 26 overs.
Afghanistan vs. South Africa: Afghanistan: Clinches 6-Wicket Victory in Opening ODI, Restricts Opponents to 106 Runs
Afghanistan vs. South Africa Bowling Dominance: Farooqi, Ghazanfar, and Rashid Shine
The star of Afghanistan’s bowling unit was fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, who claimed an impressive 4 wickets for 35 runs. His fiery pace dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup early on. He was well-supported by Allah Ghazanfar, who took 3 wickets for just 20 runs with his off-spin, while Afghanistan’s ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan picked up 2 wickets for 30 runs. Together, they orchestrated a brilliant bowling performance that left South Africa struggling to put runs on the board.
Afghanistan vs. South Africa: South Africa’s Struggles
South Africa, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, found themselves in trouble from the outset. The team lost 7 wickets with just 36 runs on the scoreboard. Tony de Georgi managed to score only 11 runs, Kyle Verreynne 10, and Reeza Hendricks just 9 runs. To make matters worse, three South African batsmen could not even open their accounts, and captain Aiden Markram fell for a mere 2 runs. It was a disastrous start for South Africa, which ultimately cost them the match.
Wayne Mulder’s Lone Resistance
Amid South Africa’s batting collapse, Wayne Mulder stood tall with a fighting half-century, helping the team cross the 100-run mark. His knock of 60 runs was the only significant contribution from the South African side. Bjorn Fortuin provided some support, adding 16 runs, but the rest of the batting order crumbled under pressure. In the end, South Africa was bowled out for just 106 runs in 33.3 overs, a total that Afghanistan found easy to chase.
Afghanistan’s Chase: A Rocky Start but a Smooth Finish
Afghanistan’s chase of 107 runs didn’t start smoothly. The team lost three early wickets for just 35 runs. Riaz Hassan scored 16 runs, while Rahmat Shah could only manage 8, and opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck. The pressure mounted when Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, was also dismissed for 16 runs, leaving the team at 60-4.
Omarzai and Naib Seal the Victory
With the top order struggling, it was Azmatullah Omarzai and the experienced Gulbadin Naib who steered Afghanistan to victory. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 25 runs, while Naib contributed a crucial 34 not out. Together, they formed a solid partnership and guided the team to a comfortable win in 26 overs. South African bowlers Bjorn Fortuin, Aiden Markram, and Lungi Ngidi took a wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to stop Afghanistan from achieving their historic triumph.
Afghanistan’s First-Ever Win Over South Africa
This victory marked Afghanistan’s first win against South Africa in any format. Previously, the two teams had faced each other in 3 T20Is and 2 ODIs, with South Africa winning all of those encounters. This time, Afghanistan turned the tables and secured a memorable win.
Looking Ahead: Afghanistan Takes the Lead
With this victory, Afghanistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second ODI is scheduled to be played on 20th September in Sharjah, followed by the final match on 22nd September. Afghanistan will be looking to carry this momentum forward and clinch the series, while South Africa will aim to bounce back and level the score.
FAQs
1.What is the current score of the Afghanistan vs. South Africa match?
Afghanistan has currently scored 152/1 in 26 overs
2. Where is the Afghanistan vs. South Africa match being played?
The ongoing match between Afghanistan and South Africa is being played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.
3. What format is the Afghanistan vs. South Africa match?
The current match is part of an ODI (One Day International) series between Afghanistan and South Africa.
4. How many ODIs are in the series between Afghanistan and South Africa?
The series consists of three ODIs. The match currently being played is part of this series.
5. Who is leading the series between Afghanistan and South Africa?
Afghanistan is leading the series 1-0 after winning the first ODI by 6 wickets, bowling out South Africa for just 106 runs in the previous match.
6. Who are the standout players so far?
In the last match, Fazalhaq Farooqi shined with 4 wickets, Allah Ghazanfar picked up 3 wickets, and Rashid Khan took 2 wickets. In batting, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai led Afghanistan to victory. Updates on today’s top performers can be checked live on cricket websites.
7. Where can I watch the Afghanistan vs. South Africa match live?
The match can be streamed live on platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, Willow TV, or through broadcasters such as SuperSport in South Africa.
8. Who won the toss in the current Afghanistan vs. South Africa match?
For the toss results and other match updates, you can refer to live cricket platforms like ESPNcricinfo or Cricbuzz.
9. What is Afghanistan’s bowling performance today?
For the latest bowling stats, including Afghanistan’s current performance, check live cricket commentary on dedicated sports websites.
10. What are the chances of Afghanistan winning this match?
Based on recent performances, Afghanistan is showing strong form, especially after their historic victory in the first ODI. However, for live win predictions, follow cricket analysts and match updates on sports channels and websites.