Afghanistan with a Convincing Six-Wicket Victory

Afghanistan 107 for 4 (Naib 34, Fortuin 2-22) beat South Africa 106 (Mulder 52, Farooqi 4-35, Ghazanfar 3-20) by six wickets

Afghanistan continued their impressive form in white-ball cricket, adding South Africa to the list of top teams they have beaten in the last 11 months, including England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia.

This victory came after notable wins in the 2023 World Cup, where Afghanistan secured automatic qualification for the 2026 Champions Trophy, and their strong performance in this year's T20 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals. The latest triumph, an ODI win against South Africa, marked the first time the two teams faced off outside a World Cup setting.

Afghanistan's bowlers, Fazalhaq Farooqi and AM Ghazanfar, were instrumental in dismantling South Africa's batting lineup, reducing them to a precarious 36 for 7 after the first ten overs. A 39-run partnership between Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin helped South Africa avoid their lowest ODI total, but they were eventually bowled out for 106 – the lowest score by a top-ten ranked team against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan, chasing a modest target, wobbled early, but their record of successfully chasing totals below 130 held firm. At 38 for 3 in the 14th over, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the innings before Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib stitched together a 47-run partnership to secure the win. Afghanistan reached the target with 24 overs to spare, underlining their dominance throughout the match.

The game started with South Africa struggling in the powerplay. Farooqi changed his angle to around the wicket, which proved effective. Reeza Hendricks was the first to fall, dragging a wide delivery onto his stumps. Aiden Markram, standing in as captain, followed suit in similar fashion, while Tony de Zorzi top-edged a pull to midwicket, giving Farooqi his third wicket.

Ghazanfar, playing his third ODI, joined the action, dismissing Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith in quick succession, as South Africa's troubles against spin deepened. Kyle Verreynne was trapped lbw by Ghazanfar, and despite a review, the decision stood, leaving South Africa reeling at 36 for 7.

Fortuin and Mulder attempted a counterattack, with Fortuin hitting boundaries off Rashid Khan, while Mulder played spin more confidently than his teammates. Mulder struck the only six of South Africa’s innings and fought hard to reach his half-century, but when Farooqi dismissed him, South Africa's innings quickly came to an end in 34 overs.

In response, Afghanistan also faced early setbacks, with Lungi Ngidi removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over. Rahmat Shah and Riaz Hasan fell cheaply as well, but Azmatullah Omarzai and Naib's explosive hitting, which included three sixes off Burger and Phehlukwayo, sealed the victory for Afghanistan.

The win solidifies Afghanistan's position as a rising force in white-ball cricket and marks South Africa’s first loss to them in ODIs.