Afghanistan’s cricket team achieved a historic milestone by securing their first One Day International (ODI) victory over South Africa, winning by six wickets in the first match of a three-match series on Wednesday in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

South Africa was bowled out for just 106 runs in 33.3 overs, collapsing to 36 for 7 within the first 10 overs. Afghanistan easily chased down this modest target in 26 overs, with Gulbadin Naib scoring an unbeaten 34 and Azmatullah Omarzai contributing 25, culminating in a match-winning partnership of 47 runs.

Fazalhaq Farooqi was instrumental for Afghanistan, taking 4 wickets for 35 runs and dismantling the South African top order on a flat pitch under sweltering conditions.

Wiaan Mulder was the standout performer for the Proteas, scoring 52 runs off 84 balls—his highest ODI score and first fifty for South Africa—before being bowled by Fazalhaq. His partnership of 39 runs with Bjorn Fortuin for the eighth wicket was the highlight of a disappointing innings, while Fortuin’s bowling figures of 2 for 22 in nine overs only slightly delayed the inevitable Afghan victory.