SHARJAH: South Africa suffered a stunning collapse, recording its third-lowest total in one-day international history, bowled out for just 106 runs against Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday. The Proteas’ previous low scores while batting first were 83 against England in 2008 and 99 against India in 2022.
Afghanistan secured a comfortable six-wicket victory in the opening ODI, led by a disciplined bowling performance from Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took 4 wickets for 35 runs, and AM Ghazanfar, who claimed 3 for 20.
The Afghan innings began precariously, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed on just the third ball by Lungi Ngidi, and Rahmat Shah falling leg before wicket to Bjorn Fortuin, leaving Afghanistan at 15-2. Fortuin continued to apply pressure, taking the wickets of Riaz Hassan (16) and Hashmatullah Shahidi.
However, Azmatullah Omarzai (25 not out) and Gulbadin Naib (34 off 27 balls) steadied the innings, guiding Afghanistan to victory in just 26 overs.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, South Africa’s opening pair, Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi, managed only 17 runs before Farooqi struck, dismissing Hendricks for 9. This triggered a dramatic collapse, with South Africa slipping to 36-7.
Farooqi also took the wickets of captain Aiden Markram (2) and de Zorzi (11), while Ghazanfar accounted for Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith, both for ducks, as well as Kyle Verreynne (10).
The Proteas’ situation worsened when Andile Phehlukwayo was run out by Nabi while attempting a leg-before appeal against Ghazanfar. With only 10 overs bowled, South Africa appeared in danger of breaking their record low ODI score of 69, set against Australia in 1993.
A brief resistance came from Wiaan Mulder and Fortuin, who added 39 runs for the eighth wicket, helping South Africa surpass the lowest mark. Fortuin was eventually bowled by Rashid Khan, returning to ODI cricket after last year’s World Cup. Mulder managed to reach his first ODI fifty, scoring 52 off 84 balls with five fours and a six.
Rashid capped off South Africa’s innings in 33.3 overs, bowling Ngidi leg before wicket and finishing with figures of 2 for 30.
