Fazalhaq Farooqi claims 4 as Afghanistan knock over South Africa for 106 in 1st ODI
Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up four wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 106 in the first ODI against Afghanistan on Wednesday, September 18. The match is being played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first in their first bilateral meeting against Afghanistan. They were jolted early on in their innings as they lost two quick wickets in the form of Reeza Hendricks (9 off 12) and Aiden Markram (11 off 18).
This opened the floodgates for Afghanistan, who managed to reduce the Proteas from 24 for 2 to 29 for 5, dismissing Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith cheaply.
South Africa would then lose two wickets without adding a run. Kyle Verreyne (10 off 11) looked in good nick but threw his wicket away and then a brain fade from Andile Pheklukwayo led to a silly run out, reducing the Proteas to 36/7.
From there, Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin (16 off 34) stitched together a good partnership. The duo added 39 runs for the eighth wicket before Rashid Khan registered himself in the wickets column, accounting for the latter.
Wiaan Mulder (52 off 84) put on a fightback in the middle. The all-rounder recorded his highest score in the format as he fought back with a half-century, his first in this format.
The 26-year-old saw through spells of Afghanistan's strike bowlers with the loss of partners at the other end. The hosts managed to strike soon after as they dismissed Mulder and Ngidi, with Afghanistan bowling out South Africa for 106 in 33.3 overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi leads bowling charts as Afghanistan start well in first ODI against South Africa
Afghanistan's bowlers gave their side a head start in the first ODI against South Africa. Asked to bowl first, Afghanistan struck at regular intervals. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/35) starred with the ball in hand, picking up the wickets of Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi and the dangerous Aiden Markram.
Spinner Allah Ghazanfar (3/20) partnered well with Farooqi, running through the middle order and picking up the wickets of Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreyne and Jason Smith. Rashid Khan also joined in on the fun, picking up the wickets of Bjorn Fortuin and Lungi Ngidi.
Afghanistan need 107 runs to win in the 300 balls at their disposal to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.