Afghanistan secured a landmark victory by winning their first-ever One Day International (ODI) against South Africa, claiming a six-wicket triumph in the opening match of their three-game series in Sharjah on Wednesday.
South Africa, weakened by the absence of key players and captain Temba Bavuma due to illness, struggled to mount a defense and were bowled out for a mere 106 runs in 33.3 overs. Their collapse was swift, with the team slumping to 36-7 within the first ten overs. Wiaan Mulder was the lone standout, scoring his maiden ODI half-century with 52 runs.
Afghanistan’s response saw an early stumble, falling to 38-3. However, solid performances from Gulbadin Naib (34) and Azmatullah Omarzai (25) steadied the innings, allowing them to chase down the target comfortably, reaching 107 runs in 26 overs. The pair’s unbeaten 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket was crucial.
Fazalhaq Farooqi shone with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 35 runs, while spinner AM Ghazanfar added pressure with impressive figures of 3-20, dismantling South Africa’s top order on a spin-friendly surface.
The teams will face off again in the second match of the series on Friday at the same venue.