Wiaan Mulder scored a half-century, but he was the only SA player who was able to put up a fight against Afghanistan. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
South Africa were annihilated on Wednesday, falling to their first ever defeat to Afghanistan in their international (ODI) clash in Sharjah.
Playing with a second-string squad, in their first ODI in nine months, the Proteas were given a wake-up call against the fastest rising team in global cricket.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the SA team completely collapsed, and they were left flailing at 36/7.
It was only a middle-order contribution from Wiaan Mulder that carried them beyond the 100-run mark, with Mulder hitting 52 off 84 balls, guiding South Africa to 106 all out in the 34th over of their innings.
Seam bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/35) and spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (3/20) spearheaded Afghanistan’s attack.
In response, Afghanistan coasted to 107/4, securing a six-wicket win with 24 overs to spare and earning their first victory over the Proteas in any format.
Gulbadin Naib, who made 34 not out, top-scored for Afghanistan with the bat, while Bjorn Fortuin took 2/22 for the Proteas with the ball.
The second game of the three-match ODI series between South Africa and Afghanistan will be played in Sharjah on Friday and the third and final game will be contested at the same venue on Sunday.
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