South Africa has thwarted Afghanistan’s hopes of a clean sweep in the ODI series by clinching victory in the third and final match, winning by 7 wickets. This result marked the end of a competitive three-match series where Afghanistan had previously secured two victories. The Afghan team entered this game with aspirations to sweep the series, but a modest target proved insufficient for that ambition.
Afghanistan Struggles with Batting Collapse
In the match played in Sharjah, Afghanistan opted to bat first but faced a significant collapse, crumbling for just 169 runs within 34 overs. Their innings was heavily reliant on the exceptional performance of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored a commendable 89 runs off 119 balls, featuring 7 fours and 4 sixes. Unfortunately, the lack of support from the rest of the batting lineup hindered their efforts, as they failed to play out the full quota of 50 overs.
South Africa’s Commanding Chase
Facing a target of merely 170 runs, South Africa approached the innings with confidence. They made quick work of the chase, losing only 3 wickets in 33 overs. The team’s success was largely attributed to Aiden Markram, who played a crucial innings, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 67 balls. His performance was marked by a strike rate of over 102, which included 4 fours and 3 sixes, leading his team to victory with 102 balls remaining.
Aiden Markram’s Impact on the Match
Markram’s innings was pivotal, as he also formed a significant partnership with Tristan Stubbs for the fourth wicket, where Stubbs contributed 26 runs and remained not out. The partnership not only ensured a stable middle order but also accelerated the scoring rate that ultimately sealed Afghanistan’s fate.
Award Honors: Gurbaz Shines Bright
Despite Aiden Markram’s standout performance in the final ODI, the Player of the Match award was given to Rahmanullah Gurbaz for his remarkable innings. Gurbaz’s consistency throughout the series earned him the accolade of Player of the Series, tallying 194 runs across 3 matches with an impressive average of 64.66. Conversely, Markram emerged as the leading batsman for South Africa in the series, accumulating a total of 92 runs in 3 innings, showcasing his significant contribution to the team’s performance.
Conclusion: An Exciting ODI Series
The conclusion of this ODI series leaves fans with memorable performances and significant highlights. While Afghanistan demonstrated their capabilities by winning two matches, South Africa’s resilience in the final game highlighted their strength and adaptability. This series not only showcased the talent present in both teams but also set the stage for future encounters, where fans can anticipate even more thrilling cricketing action.
