Tag: Sharjah

Afghanistan and South Africa faced off in the second ODI in Sharjah, with Afghanistan winning the toss and electing to bat first. The match witnessed a flurry of boundaries and some impressive bowling performances.

Nandre Burger opened the bowling for South Africa, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan got Afghanistan off to a solid start. Gurbaz was particularly aggressive, hitting two boundaries in Burger’s first over. Lungi Ngidi replaced Burger and immediately made an impact, dismissing Hassan for 10.

However, Gurbaz continued to dominate, hitting a six and two more boundaries off Ngidi’s bowling. He was eventually dismissed for 30 by Bjorn Fortuin, who was introduced into the attack for the first time.

Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the Afghan innings, but they were both dismissed in quick succession by Ngidi. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi then put on a 50-run partnership to revive Afghanistan’s innings.

Nabi was eventually dismissed for 32, but Omarzai continued to play aggressively, hitting two sixes and a boundary off Fortuin’s bowling. He was eventually dismissed for 50, leaving Afghanistan on 150/6.

Ikram Alikhil and Rashid Khan added some valuable runs in the final overs, helping Afghanistan reach a respectable total of 189/8.

In response, South Africa lost Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi cheaply. Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram then put on a 50-run partnership to stabilize the innings.

However, Afghanistan’s bowlers kept the pressure on, and Markram was eventually dismissed for 30 by Rashid Khan. Bavuma continued to fight, but he was eventually dismissed for 51 by Nangeyalia Kharote.

Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne added some late runs, but South Africa fell short of their target, finishing on 175/8. Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, taking 3/38.

Afghanistan and South Africa Clash in Sharjah ODI Opener

The first ODI between Afghanistan and South Africa commenced at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with South Africa winning the toss and electing to bat first. The pitch, measuring 70 yards in all directions, appeared flat but slightly slow, favoring spinners.

South Africa’s innings began with a boundary from Reeza Hendricks off Fazalhaq Farooqi’s first delivery. However, Farooqi struck back in the next over, dismissing Hendricks for 10 runs. Tony de Zorzi joined Hendricks at the crease and played a steady innings, scoring 25 runs before being caught by Rashid Khan off AM Ghazanfar’s bowling.

Aiden Markram, South Africa’s captain, came in at number three and played a patient knock, scoring 30 runs off 45 deliveries. Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne also contributed with scores of 20 and 15, respectively.

Afghanistan’s spinners played a significant role in restricting South Africa’s scoring rate. Ghazanfar finished with figures of 2/35, while Rashid Khan conceded just 20 runs in his 10 overs.

In reply, Afghanistan lost Reeza Hendricks early on, but Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership. De Zorzi scored 35 runs before being dismissed by Ghazanfar, while Markram went on to make 60 runs.

Afghanistan’s middle order struggled to build on the platform set by the openers. Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne both fell cheaply, leaving South Africa in a strong position.

However, Afghanistan’s spinners fought back, with Rashid Khan and Ghazanfar taking two wickets each. South Africa eventually reached a total of 189/9 in their 50 overs.