In a thrilling contest at Sharjah, Aiden Markram composed performance guided South Africa to a much-needed seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan, avoiding a series whitewash in the third and final One-Day International (ODI). This victory not only restored some pride for the Proteas but also showcased their resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure.
Proteas Bounce Back to Avoid Series Whitewash
After suffering heavy defeats in the first two ODIs, the South African team entered the third match with their backs against the wall. Afghanistan had outclassed the Proteas with their spin dominance, spearheaded by star performers like Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi. The visitors were determined to avoid a whitewash and finally showcased their potential in a well-rounded team performance.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan’s innings got off to a shaky start. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Lungi Ngidi and young spinner Nqaba Peter, put on a disciplined display, restricting Afghanistan to a modest total of 169 in just 34 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the lone warrior for Afghanistan, scoring a fighting 89 off 94 balls, but lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup. The South African bowlers took advantage of Afghanistan’s poor running between the wickets, which resulted in three crucial run-outs, further derailing the Afghan innings.
South African Bowlers Find Their Mojo
The Proteas’ bowling attack, which struggled in the previous games, found their rhythm in the final ODI. Lungi Ngidi and Nqaba Peter were the pick of the bowlers, each taking two wickets and maintaining a tight line and length that kept the Afghan batsmen on their toes. Andile Phehlukwayo also chipped in with two wickets, including the crucial scalp of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had been the backbone of the Afghan innings.
The South African bowlers were well-supported by their fielders. There were three run-outs during Afghanistan’s innings, a testament to the pressure the Proteas managed to apply on the field. The most dramatic of these was a freak occurrence where a straight drive from Gurbaz deflected off Ngidi’s hand onto Rahmat’s shoulder before crashing into the stumps at the non-striker’s end. This unfortunate run-out epitomized Afghanistan’s woes in the match.
Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs Shine with the Bat
Chasing a target of 170, South Africa got off to a cautious start. Openers Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi shared a 40-run partnership for the first wicket, setting a solid foundation for the chase. However, the Proteas were soon in a spot of bother at 80/3, losing Bavuma, de Zorzi, and Reeza Hendricks in quick succession.
This is where Aiden Markram stepped up. Known for his calm demeanor and technical prowess, Markram played a captain’s innings, remaining unbeaten on 69. His partnership with young Tristan Stubbs, who contributed 26 not out, was instrumental in guiding South Africa to victory. The duo shared an unbroken 90-run stand for the fourth wicket, effectively nullifying any chances of an Afghan comeback.
Markram’s innings was a blend of caution and aggression. He picked his shots carefully, attacking the spinners when needed and rotating the strike efficiently to keep the scoreboard ticking. His confidence was evident as he dealt with Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially the spinners, who had troubled the South African batsmen in the earlier games. Markram’s innings included three sixes, each struck with authority, and he fittingly hit the winning runs to seal the victory for South Africa.
Afghanistan Missed Opportunity
For Afghanistan, this match was a missed opportunity to assert their dominance and secure a historic series whitewash. After winning the first two ODIs convincingly, they struggled to replicate their performance in the final game. The absence of key players like Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi was clearly felt, as the Afghan bowling attack looked toothless without their star performers.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s valiant effort went in vain as he found little support from his teammates. The run-outs were a major setback, with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah being the most notable victims. These mistakes not only broke the momentum of the innings but also highlighted the lack of communication and understanding between the Afghan batsmen.
Proteas’ Dominance in the Field
South Africa’s fielding was a significant factor in their victory. The run-outs, which accounted for three Afghan wickets, were a result of sharp awareness and athleticism on the field. The first run-out, involving Ngidi’s deflection, was more of a freak incident, but the other two were the result of poor running decisions by the Afghan batsmen.
Temba Bavuma’s direct hit to dismiss Ikram Alikhil and Tristan Stubbs’ brilliant throw from the deep to catch Hashmatullah Shahidi short of his ground were moments that lifted the Proteas’ spirits and put additional pressure on the opposition. These fielding efforts complemented the bowlers’ disciplined performance and restricted Afghanistan to a below-par total.
South Africa Batting Woes Continue
Despite the victory, South Africa’s top-order batting remains a concern. The Proteas were reduced to 80/3 in their chase, with Bavuma, de Zorzi, and Hendricks failing to convert their starts into substantial scores. Bavuma’s struggles against spin were evident, as he was cleaned up by the young Ghazanfar after a tentative knock. De Zorzi, too, threw away his wicket after getting a decent start, trapped lbw by Mohammad Nabi.
Reeza Hendricks, who has had a lean run in the series, once again failed to make an impact. His dismissal, a top-edged pull shot off Fareed Ahmad, left South Africa in a precarious position. The Proteas will need to address these issues ahead of their upcoming series against Ireland, as consistent top-order collapses could prove costly against stronger opposition.
Markram Leadership and the Road Ahead
Aiden Markram’s leadership in the final ODI was commendable. Taking over the captaincy responsibilities, he led from the front with the bat and marshaled his troops well in the field. His innings was a masterclass in pacing a chase, and his calm presence at the crease was reassuring for the South African camp.
Looking ahead, the Proteas have a busy schedule with a five-match series against Ireland, which includes two T20 Internationals and three ODIs. The series will provide an opportunity for South Africa to build on their victory and work on areas that need improvement, particularly their batting against spin and middle-order stability.
For Afghanistan, the series win against a formidable side like South Africa is a significant achievement. However, the manner in which they capitulated in the final ODI will be a cause for concern. The Afghan team will need to work on their consistency and address the issues in their batting order, especially the frequent run-outs and inability to build partnerships.
Key Takeaways from the Series
- Aiden Markram’s Return to Form: Markram’s unbeaten 69 in the final ODI was a timely reminder of his class and importance to the South African team. His calm approach under pressure and ability to accelerate when needed were the highlights of his innings.
- Afghanistan’s Bowling Depth: The absence of Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi exposed Afghanistan’s lack of depth in their bowling attack. While Ghazanfar and Fareed Ahmad showed promise, the Afghan attack lacked the cutting edge that Rashid and Farooqi bring to the table.
- South Africa’s Fielding Excellence: The Proteas’ fielding was a standout feature of their performance in the final ODI. The three run-outs, combined with sharp catches and ground fielding, were crucial in restricting Afghanistan to a modest total.
- Afghanistan’s Batting Concerns: Despite winning the series, Afghanistan’s batting was inconsistent. The reliance on Rahmanullah Gurbaz was evident, and the lack of support from the middle and lower order is something they will need to address going forward.
- Proteas’ Top-Order Struggles: South Africa’s top-order, barring Aiden Markram, struggled throughout the series. The inability to build partnerships at the top and frequent collapses are areas of concern that need immediate attention.
Conclusion
The final ODI between South Africa and Afghanistan was a fitting end to a closely contested series. While Afghanistan walked away with a historic series win, South Africa’s victory in the third match provided a glimpse of their potential. Aiden Markram’s composed innings, coupled with a disciplined bowling and fielding performance, ensured that the Proteas ended the series on a high.
