South Africa’s batting line-up was made to look second rate as they were dismissed for a paltry 106 in their first ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday.
Despite a brilliant 52 off 84 balls by Wiaan Mulder, the Proteas were in sixes and sevens as they lost wickets at regular intervals without offering much resistance.
After what looked like a promising start early on between Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi, South Africa lost seven wickets for just 36 runs with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar leaving them bamboozled.
There was a bit of a fight back when Bjorn Fortuin joined Wiaan Mulder in the middle and frustrated the Afghanistan bowlers with a 39-run partnership.
It came to an end, however, when Fortuin was bowled by Rshid Khan for 16 runs to leave the Proteas on 75/8.
With wickets falling around him, Mulder anchored the innings for the Proteas, and was eventually dismissed for a well played 52 off 84 balls when he was bowled by Farooqi.
After Mulder was dismissed, the Proteas added just one more run to the total before Lungi Ngidi was dismissed without getting of the mark.
Scorecard
South Africa 106 all out : Wiaan Mulder 52, Bjorn Fortuin 16, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/35, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar 3/20
Afghanistan need 107 runs to win
IOL Sport