Afghanistan and South Africa share one of the most exciting cricketing rivalries, and their matches ignite excitement like no other! Don’t miss this matchup – don’t miss it!
Bavuma and Rickleton have shown remarkable restraint here, laying an excellent platform for their innings and helping South Africa chase down a massive total. This partnership should make South African’s task much simpler on such surfaces.
In this article, we will discuss the main points or high lights of Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Top Players – Afghanistan vs South Africa ODI Series (Sept 2024)
| Category | Afghanistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Top Batter | Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 194 runs (105, 89) | Aiden Markram – 92 runs (69*, 21) |
| Top All-Rounder | Azmatullah Omarzai – 86* (50 balls), 1 wicket | Andile Phehlukwayo – 2 wickets, crucial catch to dismiss Gurbaz |
| Top Bowler | Rashid Khan – 7 wickets (5/19 in 2nd ODI) | Lungi Ngidi – 4 wickets across the series |
| Emerging Talent | Nangeyalia Kharote – 4/26 in 2nd ODI | Nqabayomzi Peter – Debut wicket of Rahmat Shah |
| Finisher | Azmatullah Omarzai – 86* off 50 balls | Tristan Stubbs – 26* in 3rd ODI, part of 90-run partnership |
| Wicketkeeper Impact | Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 2 centuries, consistent performance | Kyle Verreynne – 2 dismissals, limited impact with the bat |
| Player of the Series | Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 194 runs, including a record 7th ODI century |
Afghanistan vs South Africa
South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 107 runs in their inaugural Champions Trophy match at Karachi National Stadium with opener Ryan Rickelton hitting a century and pace bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada taking six wickets each at Lungi Ngidi Stadium. South Africa batted first and amassed 315/6 from 50 overs; Rickleton made his mark by scoring 103 off 106 balls to establish control – captain Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram also scoring half centuries before Afghanistan were dismissed at 208 by Ngidi and Rabada who picked off combined six wickets as pace bowlers Ngidi and Rabada combined their bowlers picked off six wickets between them.
Afghanistan are in trouble after failing to score during their Powerplay, failing to post any scores as South African bowlers have exerted themselves to make an impactful contribution. Rabada bowled one short and down leg which cramped Azmatullah Omarzai who could only glove it to Rickelton at slip.
Nabi comes into the side as number nine and has played sensibly despite reaching 90, playing every ball according to its merit and applying pressure to South Africa. Unfortunately he keeps losing partners left right and centre and this could spell disaster for Afghanistan’s chances of victory tonight.
Gulbdin Naib gives himself the opportunity to hit back by lofting a high ball from Ngidi over midwicket but unfortunately for him the fielder was perfectly placed to take a catch easily. Afghanistan fans may be disappointed they haven’t had much to cheer about in terms of achievements in this innings from Nabi.
Noteworthy is that Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie may have prevented this fixture from taking place altogether; his comparison between Taliban’s treatment of women to apartheid would render it hypocritical for South Africa to participate in any event held there. Cricket South Africa disagrees and plans to continue holding matches there even though they have been asked to raise awareness of human rights abuses committed by the Taliban government. Lawyers for Human Rights has expressed concerns that CSA’s position, tacitly endorsing China’s oppressive regime, undermines human rights. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has supported CSA and is looking for an uniform response among other members. At its meeting scheduled in October, the governing board is expected to vote on whether to support a boycott. Meanwhile, an online petition calling for one has gained considerable traction among citizens worldwide and already received over 8,000 signatures; you can sign it here. Numerous politicians, such as former British Labour Party leader Peter Hain and UK Independent MP and anti-racism campaigner Diane Abbot, have signed it. It will then be handed to ICC headquarters in London. Sportsmail’s Sami Mokbel contributed this report.