In a stunning display of bowling prowess, Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Allah Ghaznafar and Fazalhaq Farooqi, dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup during the first ODI of their three-match series on September 18. The match, held at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, saw South Africa lose seven wickets for just 36 runs within the first ten overs, marking a significant collapse that left fans and analysts alike in disbelief.
This performance also served as a form of revenge for Afghanistan following their crushing defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final earlier this year.
A Disastrous Start for South Africa
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, South Africa hoped for a solid start. However, their innings quickly spiraled into chaos. The team lost its first wicket at just 17 runs when Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for nine runs.
From there, wickets fell at regular intervals, with captain Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi also failing to make significant contributions. Markram managed only two runs before falling victim to Farooqi, while de Zorzi returned to the pavilion with just 11 runs to his name.
The situation worsened as the Afghan bowlers continued to apply pressure. By the end of the tenth over, South Africa found themselves reeling at 36/7, a scenario that was unprecedented in their previous encounters with Afghanistan. This marked the first time South Africa had lost so many wickets during the powerplay against Afghanistan in an ODI match.
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Bowling Brilliance from Afghanistan
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Ghaznafar were instrumental in this remarkable bowling performance. Farooqi claimed three wickets in the powerplay alone, showcasing his ability to swing the ball and deceive batsmen. Meanwhile, Ghaznafar completed his ten-over spell with impressive figures of 3 wickets for just 20 runs, effectively dismantling South Africa’s top order.
The duo’s exceptional performance not only rattled the Proteas but also set a new tone for Afghanistan’s campaign in this series. Their ability to exploit early movement and maintain disciplined lines made it nearly impossible for South African batsmen to settle in.
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