South Africa prevented Afghanistan from achieving a series sweep with a convincing seven-wicket victory in the third and final ODI on Sunday.
Aiden Markram played a pivotal role in South Africa’s successful chase, finishing unbeaten on 69 as they reached 170-3 with 17 overs to spare. This came after Afghanistan faltered and was bowled out for just 169 in 34 overs.
Despite the loss, Afghanistan secured the series 2-1. The South African team, fielding a less experienced lineup, had struggled in the first two matches, being dismissed for 106 and 134. However, Markram provided stability on a slow Sharjah Cricket Stadium pitch with his gritty 67-ball innings.
“Feeling very happy with the series win,” Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said, expressing some disappointment at losing the final match. He noted that three runouts among his team’s batters significantly contributed to their downfall.
Afghanistan was without their star leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, due to a hamstring injury.
Earlier, Afghanistan chose to bat first, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored a century in the previous match, anchored the innings with a solid 89 runs off 94 balls. Unfortunately, the rest of the batting lineup struggled, with none of the other top eight batters surpassing 10 runs, and three of them were run out.
No. 9 batter A.M. Ghazanfar added a quick 31 not out off just 15 balls, but South Africa maintained control, thanks to disciplined bowling from Lungi Ngidi, Nqabayomzi Peter, and Andile Phehlukwayo, each taking two wickets.
The South African bowlers adjusted well to the conditions in the UAE, with Ngidi and Phehlukwayo benefiting from excellent fielding. Ngidi made an early impact, using his cutters and slow deliveries to trouble the Afghan batters. He dismissed debutant opener Abdul Malik with a leg before wicket call during the power play and later had Rahmat Shah run out when Gurbaz’s drive deflected off Ngidi’s fingers and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
Shahidi was run out while attempting a second run, and Ikram Alikhil was also run out after straying too far from the crease, leaving Afghanistan in a precarious position at 113-5 in the 22nd over.
South Africa had a missed opportunity to dismiss Mohammad Nabi when captain Temba Bavuma chose not to review a potential lbw against Bjorn Fortuin. Nabi was later caught behind in Fortuin’s next over.
Gurbaz attempted to accelerate in search of his second consecutive century but ultimately fell to Reeza Hendricks at extra cover. Ghazanfar’s late contributions helped Afghanistan surpass 160 runs.
In response, South Africa began their chase solidly, with Bavuma (22) and Tony de Zorzi (26) putting on a 40-run opening partnership. However, Bavuma was bowled by off-spinner Ghazanfar, and de Zorzi was trapped lbw after being dropped twice.
Markram and Tristan Stubbs then led the chase with a decisive 90-run partnership, with Stubbs finishing not out on 26.
“We were quite clinical with the bat,” Bavuma remarked. “In terms of the series, it’s not what we planned for, but the guys will gain a lot of experience and learning from it.”
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