Thu Sep 19 08:30:08 UTC 2024: ## Afghanistan Makes History, Defeats South Africa in First-Ever ODI Win
**Sharjah, UAE -** In a stunning upset, Afghanistan secured their first-ever ODI victory over South Africa on Wednesday, September 18th. The Afghan team chased down a modest target of 107 runs in 26 overs, winning by 6 wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The victory was a testament to Afghanistan’s bowling prowess, with 17-year-old spinner Allah Ghazanfar and left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the charge. The duo combined to restrict South Africa to their joint-lowest ODI total of 106 runs, a humiliating performance for the Proteas.
Farooqi, who reached a milestone of 100 international wickets in his 75th innings, was particularly impressive, claiming four wickets and dismantling the South African top order. Ghazanfar, meanwhile, chipped in with crucial wickets, including the dismissal of dangerous batsman Tristan Stubbs for a duck.
South Africa’s batting collapse began early, with openers Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram falling victim to Farooqi’s pace and accuracy. Despite a fighting half-century from Wiaan Mulder, the South African team was unable to recover from their poor start.
Afghanistan’s chase wasn’t without its hiccups, losing two early wickets. However, Azmatullah Omarzai (25* off 36) and Gulbadin Naib (34* off 27) steadied the ship with an unbeaten 47-run partnership. Naib particularly impressed with his powerful hitting, smashing two consecutive sixes off Nandre Burger to seal the victory.
This historic win marks a significant milestone for Afghanistan cricket and serves as a major upset against a top-ranked opponent. The team will look to build on this momentum in upcoming matches and continue its rise in international cricket.
First Piper 