Afghanistan vs South Africa: 2nd ODI Match Report - Proteas Dominate in a Clinical Display
The second ODI between Afghanistan and South Africa was a one-sided affair, with the Proteas cruising to a comfortable victory at the Zahur Ahmad Shabash Cricket Stadium in Kabul on July 22nd, 2023. South Africa's clinical display, led by a brilliant century from Aiden Markram and a disciplined bowling performance, left Afghanistan with no chance of a comeback.
South Africa's Dominant Batting Performance
The Proteas won the toss and elected to bat first, and their decision was vindicated right from the start. Aiden Markram was the star of the show, scoring a magnificent 118 runs off 110 balls, hitting 16 fours and 1 six. He shared a crucial 157-run partnership with Rassie van der Dussen (70 runs), laying the foundation for a massive total.
South Africa's innings was also boosted by Heinrich Klaasen's quickfire 44 runs off 31 balls, further accelerating the run-rate. Their batting prowess was on full display, with the team posting a mammoth 337/6 in their 50 overs.
Afghanistan's Struggles with the Bat
In response, Afghanistan's batting lineup failed to cope with the pressure. Hazratullah Zazai (42 runs) and Ibrahim Zadran (48 runs) showed some resistance but couldn't translate their starts into big scores. The rest of the batting order crumbled under the weight of a huge target, with only Rahmanullah Gurbaz (43 runs) providing any significant contribution.
Afghanistan was eventually bowled out for 214 runs in 41.4 overs, losing by a massive margin of 123 runs.
South Africa's Bowling Dominance
South Africa's bowling attack was relentless, keeping the Afghan batsmen under constant pressure. Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj were particularly impressive, picking up 3 wickets each. Wayne Parnell and Lungi Ngidi also chipped in with vital breakthroughs, restricting Afghanistan's scoring rate and ultimately ensuring a comfortable victory for the Proteas.
Key Highlights
- Aiden Markram's century was the highlight of the match, showcasing his class and dominance at the crease.
- South Africa's bowling unit was clinical, delivering a disciplined performance and ensuring a comfortable win.
- Afghanistan's batting lineup failed to cope with the pressure, resulting in a heavy defeat.
Conclusion
The second ODI was a complete domination by South Africa, highlighting the gulf in class between the two teams. The Proteas showed their strengths in both batting and bowling, while Afghanistan struggled to make a mark in the match. This victory puts South Africa in a commanding position in the series, with the third and final ODI to be played on July 24th.
