Afghanistan secured an impressive six-wicket victory over South Africa in a dominant display during their ODI clash, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and AM Ghazanfar sharing seven wickets to trigger a South African batting collapse. Chasing a modest target of 107, Afghanistan reached 107 for 4, with Gulbadin Naib (34*) leading the chase after a strong bowling performance earlier in the match.
This victory adds South Africa to the list of major teams Afghanistan has beaten in white-ball internationals over the past 11 months, including England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia.
Afghanistan’s bowlers stunned South Africa in the powerplay, reducing them to 36 for 7 after 10 overs—their worst-ever start in an ODI. Wiaan Mulder’s fighting 52 helped South Africa avoid an even lower total, but they were bowled out for 106 in just under 34 overs. Farooqi claimed 4 for 35, while Ghazanfar took 3 for 20, dismantling South Africa’s top order on a slow, dry Sharjah surface.
Afghanistan’s chase wasn’t without its challenges. Lungi Ngidi made early inroads, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the third ball of the innings. South Africa’s bowlers, including Bjorn Fortuin (2-22), applied pressure, but Afghanistan’s batting depth prevailed. Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib put together a crucial 47-run partnership, ensuring Afghanistan’s victory with 24 overs to spare.
The win highlights Afghanistan’s growing strength in international cricket. Farooqi and Ghazanfar’s outstanding performances with the ball set the tone early, while Naib’s steady innings guided the team home. For South Africa, this defeat raises questions about their approach to spin and the composition of their attack, which relied heavily on seamers, unlike Afghanistan’s spin-heavy strategy.
Afghanistan’s dominance in this match reflects their recent success in white-ball cricket, having beaten several top-ranked teams in both ODIs and T20Is, further solidifying their place as a rising force on the international stage.
