Afghanistan secured their first-ever One Day International victory against a weakened South Africa, clinching a six-wicket win in the opening match of their three-match series in Sharjah on Wednesday.
According to details, South Africa, missing several key players and captain Temba Bavuma due to illness, struggled to put up a fight, getting bowled out for just 106 runs in 33.3 overs.
The team suffered a rapid decline, plummeting to 36-7 within the first ten overs. Only Wiaan Mulder provided any resistance, scoring a maiden ODI half-century of 52 runs.
In response, Afghanistan faced an early setback, collapsed to 38-3, but a steady performance saw them chase down the modest target with ease, reaching 107 runs in just 26 overs. Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai played crucial roles in steering the team home, remaining unbeaten at 34 and 25, respectively, while forming a vital 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was instrumental with the ball, claiming four wickets for 35 runs, and spinner AM Ghazanfar supported him with impressive figures of 3-20, dismantling South Africa's top order on a spin-friendly pitch.
The two teams will meet again for the second match of the series on Friday at the same venue.
