A 47-run partnership between Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai for the fifth wicket was enough to see Afghanistan over the line in their ODI against South Africa on Wednesday.
Having been set a target of 106, Afghanistan reached the target after 26 overs, having lost just four wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
Lungi Ngidi had gotten South Africa’s defence off to a brilliant start by claiming the crucial wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz with just the third ball, but that’s as good as it got for the men in green.
Even as the Proteas picked up wickets, the target of 107 was always going to be a difficult one to defend.
With bowling figures of 2/22, Bjorn Fortuin was the pick of the Proteas bowlers, while skipper on the day Aiden Markram also chipped in with a wicket.
However, the Proteas couldn’t find any answeres when Naib (34) and Omarzai (25) came together in the middle. Afghanistan eventually got over the line to secure a six-wicket victory.
Earlier in the match, South Africa’s batting line-up was made to look second rate as they were dismissed for a paltry 106.
Despite a brilliant 52 off 84 balls by Wiaan Mulder, the Proteas were in sixes and sevens as they lost wickets at regular intervals without offering much resistance.
Scorecard
South Africa 106 all out: Wiaan Mulder 52, Bjorn Fortuin 16, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/35, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar 3/20
Afghanistan 107/4: Gulbadin Naib 34, Azmatullah Omarzai 25, Bjorn Fortuin 2/22, Lungi Ngidi 1/6
Afghanistan win by six wickets, take a 1-0 series lead.
IOL Sport