Afghanistan recorded a magical and unforgettable victory at Sharjah Stadium, which further goes down in the history books as the bowlers were celebrating the 250th ODI which is a world record in its own right. The players lived up to the expectations and instead enhanced the entertainment of the arena in foreign matches.
Thus, victory against Afghanistan and associating grounds with so much history created too, would always remain unique. Sharjah’s historical links with the game and its landmark formation strengthen the fact that it is one of the major cricketing grounds in the world.
Afghanistan defeated South Africa and achieved their first win in an ODI match against South Africa in heavens on Wednesday in Sharjah Cricket Stadium, taking an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three ODI series. The victory, which came in front of more than 400 fans at the historic grounds, was one of the easier wins for Afghanistan in international cricket.
Determined hunters after South Africa’s total, the delight not only helped set the series but also became a landmark in the history of Afghanistan’s cricket.
Afghanistan achieved sweet success at the Sharjah Stadium which made history as this was the 250th ODI match played at the venue, creating a world record. The picture post this successful outing was commendable from the team’s end as they came out on top of this historic match as well.
With Sharjah’s long association to the arena of cricket at any level as well as its world record landmark against the backdrop only boosts Sharjah further as an historical ground. Adding to the celebrations was Afghanistan’s victory at such a decisive match making this win even more special for the players of the team as well as its supporters.
In the 10th over, the South African team, batting first, found themselves struggling at 36-7 before managing to put up a total of 106 in 33.3 overs, which did not faze the Afghan side who chased the target with relative ease in 26 overs. The unbeaten 47-run partnership between Gulbadin Naib (34*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (25*) saw Afghanistan through as they chased down their target. Their composed performance made sure there was no reversal of fortunes for the team with regards to chase, hence the win for Part of Afghanistan. How the duo did not panic even when the game reached a stage where sweat beads were visible on the foreheads of most players showed how crucial they were towards the victory parade.
Four for thirty-five was the return for Fazalhaq Farooqi, who, along with hot weather, faced a feeble South African top order, which was dismissed, despite the even pitch.
Brief scores:
Afg Vs Sa. South Africa 106 in 33.3 overs (Wiaan Mulder 52; Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/35, Allah Ghazanfar 3/20) lost to Afg115/3 in 26 overs (66 run not out from Gulbadin Naib; HmNijran 2/22) by six wickets.