[Watch] Gulbadin Naib scores the winning run as Afghanistan beat South Africa for the first time
Afghanistan cricket team continued their rise in international cricket as they beat South Africa for the first time in any format on Wednesday. Veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib hit the winning run as they triumphed over the Proteas in the first of the three One-day internationals on Wednesday in Sharjah.
Afghanistan left their opposition in a strife in the first ten overs itself after losing the toss as Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Ghazanfar ripped through South Africa's batting unit. Farooqi and Ghazanfar shared three scalps each as the Proteas were left reeling at 36/7 in ten overs. Wiaan Mulder, who top-scored with 52, was one of the four South Africans to reach double-figures. Farooqi took four wickets to dismiss them for 106 in 33.3 overs.
South Africa did make early inroads as well as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah walked back for single-figure scores, while Riaz Hassan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi made 16 runs each. It was the calculated countertattack from Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai that closed the doors on South Africa.
The Afghans got over the line in the 26th over. Leg-spinner Bjorn Fortuin was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas with figures of 9-0-22-2, getting the better of Hassan and Shah.
Aiden Markram admits South Africa failed to put Afghanistan under pressure
Aiden Markram, who stood in for Temba Bavuma as captain after the latter was ruled out due to illness, vowed to bounce back in the next match, claming that their plans went awry. He said in the post-match presentation:
"We couldn't put them under pressure. Honest learnings. We will look to bounce back. Gameplans and approaches would be different for each player but as long as it toes the team's line we will be fine."
The 2nd ODI between the two sides will take place at the same venue on Friday, September 20. Afghanistan will look to seal the series and are favourites based on their current form.