Afghanistan made history by winning their first-ever ODI series against South Africa, clinching the series 2-1. Each match showcased Afghanistan’s growing cricket prowess, with key performances from their star players, particularly Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Rashid Khan.
Match 1: Afghanistan Wins by 6 Wickets
The first match saw South Africa crumble under Afghanistan’s impressive bowling attack. South Africa was bowled out for just 106 in 33.3 overs, with Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the charge, taking 4 wickets for 35 runs in 7 overs. Afghanistan chased down the modest total comfortably, scoring 107/4 in 26 overs. Farooqi was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Match 2: Afghanistan Crushes South Africa by 177 Runs
In the second ODI, Afghanistan’s batsmen came alive, posting a massive 311/4 in their 50 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the charge with a fantastic century (105 off 110 balls), while Azmatullah Omarzai added a quickfire 86* off 50 balls. South Africa struggled in reply, managing only 134 all out in 34.2 overs. Rashid Khan was unstoppable, taking 5 wickets for just 19 runs, supported by Noor Ahmad Kharote, who picked up 4 wickets. Rashid Khan, who celebrated his birthday with this brilliant performance, was awarded Player of the Match.
Match 3: South Africa Avoids Whitewash
In the final ODI, South Africa bounced back to avoid a whitewash, chasing down Afghanistan’s total of 169 with ease. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was once again the standout performer for Afghanistan, scoring 89 off 94 balls, while Allah Ghazanfar chipped in with 31* off 15 balls. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Andile Phehlukwayo (2/17) and Lungi Ngidi (2/22), restricted Afghanistan to a modest total.
South Africa chased down the target in 33 overs, with Aiden Markram anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 69. Despite the loss, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series for his consistent performances with the bat.
Series Takeaways
This historic series victory underscores Afghanistan’s growing dominance in international cricket. Key players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Rashid Khan have showcased their ability to perform against top-tier teams like South Africa. For Afghanistan, this victory is a significant milestone and a testament to their rapid progress in the cricketing world.
