Afghanistan Secure Thrilling Victory Over South Africa in 2nd ODI
Kabul, Afghanistan: Afghanistan pulled off a stunning victory over South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series, securing a thrilling win by 14 runs at the Zahur Ahmad Shabash Cricket Stadium in Kabul on Tuesday. This victory levelled the series at 1-1 after South Africa won the first ODI by 21 runs.
Afghanistan's Fightback:
After being put in to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a shaky start, losing their first three wickets within the first six overs. However, a crucial 101-run partnership between Rahmat Shah (78 runs off 81 balls) and Najibullah Zadran (56 runs off 44 balls) steadied the innings. Najibullah's quickfire knock propelled Afghanistan to a competitive total of 259 runs for 7 wickets.
South Africa's Stumble:
South Africa's chase got off to a good start with Quinton de Kock scoring a blistering 59 runs off 44 balls. However, the Proteas lost wickets at regular intervals and were never able to truly get on top of the game. The Afghan bowlers were disciplined and efficient, making it difficult for the South African batsmen to score freely.
Star Performers:
Afghanistan's bowlers were the heroes of the day, with Fazalhaq Farooqi taking 3 wickets for 36 runs, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan also chipped in with two wickets each. For South Africa, Quinton de Kock was the top scorer with 59 runs, while Aiden Markram scored 46 runs.
The Turning Point:
The turning point of the match came in the 34th over when South Africa were 172-5, needing 88 runs off 98 balls. However, a brilliant spell of bowling by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who picked up two quick wickets, derailed the Proteas' chase and gave Afghanistan the upper hand.
What's Next:
The third and final ODI will be played on Thursday at the same venue. Both teams will be looking to win the series, making it a must-win encounter for both sides.
Key Takeaways:
- Afghanistan's bowling attack proved to be too strong for South Africa.
- Najibullah Zadran's quickfire knock was crucial for Afghanistan.
- Quinton de Kock's blistering start was not enough for South Africa.
This victory will be a major boost for Afghanistan's confidence as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The thrilling match showcased the competitive spirit and growing strength of the Afghan team on the international stage.
