SHARJAH, (TDI): South Africa recorded 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 clinched a six-wicket victory in the opening ODI, thanks to a disciplined bowling attack led by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took 4 wickets for 35 runs, and AM Ghazanfar, who claimed 3 for 20.
Their impressive performance made for a comfortable chase for the Afghan side.
The Afghan innings started shakily, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught on the third ball off Lungi Ngidi, and Rahmat Shah leg before wicket to Bjorn Fortuin, leaving Afghanistan at 15-2. Fortuin also dismissed Riaz Hassan for 16 and Hashmatullah Shahidi, putting early pressure on the Afghan batsmen.
However, Azmatullah Omarzai (25 not out) and Gulbadin Naib (34 off 27 balls) steadied the ship, 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, bowling Hendricks for 9. This triggered a dramatic collapse, with South Africa plunging to 36-7.
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Farooqi also dismissed captain Aiden Markram (2) and de Zorzi (11), while Ghazanfar took out Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith for ducks, as well as Kyle Verreynne for 10 runs.
The Proteas’ troubles worsened when Andile Phehlukwayo was run out by Nabi while attempting a leg-before appeal against Ghazanfar.
With just 10 overs bowled, South Africa appeared at risk of breaking their record lowest 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 low mark.
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Fortuin was eventually bowled by Rashid Khan, who returned to ODI cricket after last year’s World Cup. Mulder reached his first ODI fifty, scoring 52 off 84 balls with five fours and a six.
Rashid wrapped up South Africa’s innings in 33.3 overs, bowling Ngidi leg before wicket to finish with figures of 2 for 30.
