South Africa all-out for their 4th-lowest ODI total as Afghanistan shine in Sharjah

South Africa were bundled out for their fifth-lowest ODI total as Afghanistan managed to get them all-out for the first-time ever in white ball cricket. Farooqi and Ghazanfar shared seven wickets between them.

In Short

• SA bundled out for their 5th lowest ODI total of 106 vs Afghanistan
• Fazalhaq Farooqi picks up four wickets against South Africa
• 18-year-old Allah Ghazanfar chips in with three crucial wickets

South Africa had a forgettable outing in the ODI series opener against Afghanistan after the Aiden Markram-led side suffered an utter batting collapse on September 19. The Proteas might have looked to bury the ghosts of the past behind them and start afresh, but the reality turned out to be completely different. South Africa were bowled out for their fifth-lowest ODI total during the 1st match of the series against Afghanistan. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium witnessed South Africa getting bundled out for a paltry total of 106 runs after opting to bat first. South Africa were left stunned and bowled out for the lowest total a top ten-ranked team has scored against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan, who were coming off a frustrating wash-out against New Zealand in their one-off Test, gave the South African batters a run for their money. Maybe the Rashid Khan-led team had revenge in their mind from June when they lost the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa. This was the first time that Afghanistan bowled out South Africa in a white-ball game.

AFG vs SA: Live score and updates

Farooqi-Ghazanfar wreak havoc

Afghanistan’s star pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who was the top wicket-taker for them in the marquee tournament, started off from where he left. He dismissed opener Reeza Hendricks in the 3rd over and followed it up with the scalp of captain Aiden Markram in his following over. His rampage didn’t just stop there as opener Tony de Zorzi was next in line in the 7th over. Just when Fazalhaq wasn’t enough, Allah Ghazanfar joined the party with the dismissal of dangerous Tristan Stubbs for a duck. Within the same over, South Africa’s debutant Jason Smith was also sent back for a five-ball duck. In no time, South Africa were 29/5 with a fear of getting bowled out for their lowest-ever ODI total, which is 69, and that happened against Australia in Sydney back in 1993.

Mulder rescues SA after early jolts

The Afghan duo continued to wreak havoc as, by the end of the power-play, South Africa found themselves reeling at 36/7. What added to their woes was the bizarre dismissal of Andile Phehlukwayo, who found himself outside the crease after facing the ball. He was soon run out by wicketkeeper Gulbadin Naib. Farooqi started the downfall and Ghazanfar chipped in as the duo turned out to be too hot to handle for South Africa, and Rashid Khan hadn’t even started bowling by that time. Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin joined hands to get the team out of trouble, but the latter was soon dismissed by Rashid Khan in a wicket-maiden over.

Nonetheless, Mulder led the fightback and Nandre Burger held the fort from the other end. Wiaan saved his side from major embarrassment as he looked comfortable at the crease and notched up his maiden ODI fifty in 80 deliveries. However, his fine knock was brought to an end by Farooqi, who bowled him. Rashid Khan picked up Lungi Ngidi's wicket to end South Africa's innings at 106.

Farooqi, who picked four wickets in the match, also achieved the 100 international wickets milestone in his 75th innings for Afghanistan.