ODI World Cup 2023: Afghanistan scored 244 runs against South Africa

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In their last game of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa. Afghanistan played the same team from their previous match while South Africa replaced Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi with Andile Phehlukwayo and Gerald Coetzee. Afghanistan scored 244 runs. Here is a recap of the first innings.

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Afghanistan lose 3 quick wickets

Ibrahim Zadran smashed a four each in the first two overs off Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi’s bowling. Ngidi was smashed for another four in the fourth over by Zadran. Rahmanullah Gurbaz freed his arms and smashed a six in the fifth over. Ngidi after bowling three balls in the sixth over walked off the field after injuring his left ankle. Gurbaz hit three fours in the seventh and eighth over. Keshav Maharaj came into the attack in the ninth over and struck with his first ball dismissing Gurbaz. Gerald Coetzee dismissed Zadran in the following over. Afghanistan scored 41 runs in the powerplay for the loss of two wickets. Maharaj dismissed Hashmatullah Shahidi in the 11th over to pick up his second wicket.

Rahmat and Omarzai provide some support

After losing three quick wickets Afghanistan went from 41/0 to 45/3. The three quick dismissals meant that runs dried up for Afghanistan. Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai were restricted to score runs freely. Rahmat and Omarzai were only able to score 11 runs in the space of four overs (12-15). At 15.1 overs Rahmat struck the first boundary after the powerplay. Azmatullah then smashed a six in the 20th over in an attempt to increase the scoring rate. Rahmat and Omzarzai looked untroubled against South African bowling and scored 23 runs in four overs (20-23). 

Afghanistan collapse again

Ngidi returned to the attack after nursing his injury and broke the 49-run stand in the 24th over. Ngidi dismissed Rahmat thanks to a juggling catch by David Miller at backward point. Rahmat scored 26 runs in 46 balls hitting two fours. Coetzee came back into the attack in the 27th over and made an effect by dismissing Ikram Alikhil. Ngidi in the 28th over dismissed veteran Mohammad Nabi. 

Omarzai continued to score runs and hit four fours in four overs (29-32). South Africa lost a review while challenging an LBW call against Rashid Khan in the 34th over. Omarzai completed his half-century in the 37th over in 71 balls. Phehlukwayo came back into the attack in the 36th over and in his second over of the spell, the South African all-rounder dismissed Rashid. Phehlukwayo conceded 11 runs in the 40th over after being hit for a four each by Omarzai and Noor Ahmad. Noor and Omarzai started to accelerate and scored 19 runs in three overs (42-44). Afghanistan reached a total of 200 in the 46th over. 

Noor was finally dismissed in the same over after playing a crucial knock of 26 runs in 32 balls hitting four fours. Ngidi came back into the attack in the 47th and was welcomed with a four on the first ball of his spell. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Omarzai smashed a six each in the same over as Ngidi conceded 20 runs in the 47th. Coetzee picked up his fourth wicket of the match by dismissing Mujeeb in the 48th over.

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