Afghanistan register first ever win vs South Africa after bundling out Proteas for 106 in first ODI

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Afghanistan scripted history on Wednesday (September 18) after registering their first ever win against South Africa in any format. They bundled out South Africa for 106 before chasing down the target in 26 overs for the loss of four overs.

Afghanistan bowlers were on fire and made life difficult for South Africa after they opted to bat first at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE. Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and 18-year-old off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar joined forces to dismiss each of the top seven batters.

Farooqi picked the wickets of openers Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi, captain Aiden Markram, and Wiaan Mulder. On the other hand, Ghazanfar sent Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, and Jason Smith back to the pavilion. Star spinner Rashid Khan also registered figures of 2/30 in 8.3 overs.

In reply, Afghanistan were three down for 38 in 13.4 overs. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck by Lungi Ngidi, while his partner Riaz Hassan got his stumps rattled by Bjorn Fortuin. Rahmat Shah was also trapped in front of the stumps by Fortuin, before captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (16) was wrapped in front of the stumps by his South Africa counterpart Markram.

But an unbeaten 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Azmatullah Omarzai (25*) and Gulbadin Naib (34*) sealed Afghanistan's historic win without any major hiccups.

"We are committed to this series. We are prepared." Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said after taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Friday, September 20.