After winning the toss and opting to bat at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Wednesday, Trinidad, Afghanistan faced a formidable South African bowling attack that exposed their batting frailties.
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The innings started disastrously as Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a duck on the last ball of the first over, caught by Reeza Hendricks off Marco Jansen. This early setback set the tone for Afghanistan’s batting collapse. Ibrahim Zadran managed only 2 runs before Kagiso Rabada clean-bowled him, while Gulbadin Naib was dismissed for 9 by Jansen.
With the scoreboard reading 20-3, Mohammad Nabi’s wicket for a duck to Rabada, followed swiftly by Nangeyalia Kharote’s dismissal by Jansen, left Afghanistan reeling at 23-5. The bleeding of wickets never ceased as the South African bowlers maintained relentless pressure.
Azmatullah Omarzai offered some resistance with a valiant 10 off 12 balls, but he, while attempting for a lofted shot, too fell, caught by Tristan Stubbs off Anrich Nortje. The lower order crumbled under the spin of Tabraiz Shamsi, who took 3 wickets for 6 runs, trapping Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, and Naveen-ul-Haq lbw in quick succession.
Lowest total for Afghanistan in T20Is
- 56 vs SA, Tarouba, 2024
- 72 vs BAN, Mirpur, 2014
- 80 vs SA, Bridgetown, 2010
- 80 vs ENG, Colombo, 2012
Rashid Khan, the Afghan captain, could only manage 8 runs before being bowled by Nortje. Fazalhaq Farooqi remained not out with 2 runs, as the innings wrapped up in just 11.5 overs for 56 runs.
Lowest totals vs South Africa in T20Is
- 56 – AFG, Tarouba, 2024
- 77 – SL, New York, 2024
- 80 – AFG, Bridgetown, 2010
- 81 – SCO, The Oval, 2009
Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, with figures of 3-16. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje each took 2 wickets, while Shamsi’s 3-6 was instrumental in dismantling the Afghan’s tailenders.
