Afghanistan Cricket Team can no longer be termed as the underdogs. The Pathans previously had a 1-0 advantage and now they have won their first every ODI series against South Africa. The hosts comprehensively outclassed the Proteas by 177 runs to clinch the 3-match series.
Batting first, Afghanistan managed to amass 311 runs. In reply, the Proteas were bowled out for a mere score of 134 runs as Rashid Khan tore through South Africa’s batting order with a brilliant fifer on his birthday.
This was the fourth ODI match that the two sides have played, given this is the first proper series where the two sides have met. Previously, Afghanistan and South Africa locked horns in 2019 in Cardiff in the 2019 World Cup and in Ahmedabad last year during the ODI World Cup. On both occasions, it was Proteas who emerged as the winners.
But now the tides have changed. Not just some one-off wins against England or Pakistan, the Pathans are emerging as the next big thing from Asia. They have been around for quite sometime, but were always considered minnows. No more from now, beating South Africa in an ODI series, speaks volumes about the advances which the team has made over the years.
A comprehensive batting performance from the Pathans saw the hosts set the pace of the game. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tonked a splendid century while Rahmat Shah managed to score a half century. Azmatullah Omarzai gave the finishing touches as he remained unbeaten on 86 runs.
For the Proteas it was a sorry state of affairs. Save the top 4 batters, the rest managed to score in single digits. Skipper Temba Bavuma (38) and Tony de Zorzi (31) stitched a decent opening partnership before the floodgates were opened. Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram too failed to bite their mark in the game.
