On September 18, Afghanistan and South Africa played their first One-Day International at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. They had to cope with early blows as Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks returned to the hut with just two and nine runs, respectively. The destruction caused by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Ghazanfar caused the Proteas middle order to fall apart at an Afghani pace.
Farooqi bagged the first three hitters in the order, while Ghazanfar snagged the next three. The lone significant blow was inflicted by Wiaan Mulder, who finished with a vital 52 off 84. Afghanistan had just 33.3 overs to bundle South Africa, who were bowled over for a paltry 106. Playing in just his second ODI, Ghazanfar picked three while Farooqi startled them with a four-fer.
With the new ball, Bjorn Fortuin spewed fire, making Afg’s chase anything but easy. Rahmat Shah was surpassed by Fortuin, and Lungi Ngidi picked Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the third ball of the innings. After a laborious 16 balls and 35 runs, Riaz Hassan finished, while Hashmatullah Shahidi also scored 16 runs.
Also Read: South Africa’s Jason Smith makes his ODI debut as a batsman against Afghanistan
The hosts desperately needed the combination of Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib for the fifth wicket, as the pair scored 47 runs and led Afg to a historic six-wicket triumph. On 25 and 34, respectively, Omarzai and Naib were still undefeated. Afg has a 1-0 advantage in the three-match ODI series.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Afghanistan’s win:
Afghanistan have defeated each of the SENA team in the last 12 months. 🤯
– There is India then there is Afghanistan as the top 2 Asian teams. 🇮🇳🤝🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/V3A8e4aaJo
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 18, 2024
THE RISE OF AFGHANISTAN CRICKET.
– From giving their best in the 2023 World Cup and making it to the Semis of T20 World Cup, they’ve now beaten South Africa. 🫡 #AFGvsSA #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/yYHjPpDb9a
— Rajan Singh (@realrajansingh) September 18, 2024
India is the only team who have never lost to Afghanistan in International cricket among full members.
They 🇦🇫 won the Match by 6 wicket against SA.#AfgvsSA #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/yLgU0as3XS
— Ashmit Singh (@ashmitsingh27) September 18, 2024
AFGHANISTAN CREATES HISTORY!
They have beaten South Africa for the very first time in ODIs. Afghanistan beat South Africa by 6 wickets in first ODI. #AFGvsSA pic.twitter.com/o32C7G6hM7
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) September 18, 2024
Breaking News :- Afghanistan defeated South Africa in international cricket for the first time in history.
Afghanistan defeated South Africa by 6 wickets in the first ODI match played in Sharjah (UAE) on Wednesday.#Afghanistan #AFGvsSA #ODI #news #Cricket #Trending #History pic.twitter.com/lD6yNnkJJu
— Reporter Sushant (@ReporterSushant) September 18, 2024
Wow, what a game that was! 😂 Huge props to #Afghanistan — well played and well deserved! 👏#AFGvSA @khybereena #AFGvsSA https://t.co/rovMOTijq9
— KeepitDope (@_JoshNeverStops) September 18, 2024
AFGHANISTAN HAVE WON AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA BY 6 WICKETS.
-Only third H2H game to defeat South Africa in ODIs.#AFGvSA #AFGvsSA #Afghanistan #Afghan #WTC25 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/zIj7XaqqoC
— Inside out (@INSIDDE_OUT) September 18, 2024
HISTORY AT SHARJAH…!!!!
AFGHANISTAN DEFEATED SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET 🫡#INDvBAN #AFGvsSA #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/KVhMztAC2x
— CricBox🏏 (@Cric7Box) September 18, 2024
Afghanistan stun South Africa to go 1-0 up in the ODI series 🤯#AFGvSA 📝: https://t.co/oTL9UFj2O5 pic.twitter.com/2560HtaIe9
— ICC (@ICC) September 18, 2024