The men’s ODI series that recently took place in Sharjah between Afghanistan and South Africa served as an excellent example of the disparity in form and performance between the two teams.
South Africa saved face by winning the series’ last game, although Afghanistan dominated the first two games, winning handily and displaying their remarkable depth and quality.
Rob Walter, the head coach of South Africa, used Rashid Khan as an example of the patience and hard work needed to succeed in the game to emphasize the necessary experience and dedication.
Walter commented on the importance of putting time and effort into improving one’s abilities, emphasizing that success is not random.
Despite not having played as many Twenty20 matches as Walter had claimed, Rashid Khan has participated in 448 games for 18 different teams, making him one of the most experienced players in the world.
Afghanistan’s players have 1,717 T20 caps between them, demonstrating their depth of experience in their dominant performances.
On the other hand, with 1,483 T20 caps overall, South Africa’s team for this series needed several of their leading players.
The absence of seasoned players like Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, and David Miller highlighted the disparity in experience between the two sides even more.
Afghanistan proved they could adjust to difficult circumstances in their decisive wins in the first two matches.
Afghanistan defeated South Africa with 106 runs in the first game, with AM Ghazanfar and Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the way.
They won by six wickets after effortlessly chasing down the score. Afghanistan amassed a massive 311/4 in the second match, led by a century from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and an undefeated 86 from Azmatullah Omarzai.
Playing with a hamstring issue, Rashid Khan struck 5/19 as South Africa collapsed to 134 all out, trailing by 177 runs.
South Africa won the third match despite the series being over. Thanks to Aiden Markram’s undefeated 69, they won by seven wickets as they bowled Afghanistan out for 169.
However, the series’ defeat highlighted South Africa’s shortcomings, especially regarding spin.
With 16 wickets taken at a low economy rate, Afghanistan’s spinners, led by Rashid Khan and Ghazanfar, outperform their South African counterparts. Walter admitted that his squad had difficulties adjusting to Sharjah’s sluggish, twisting pitches.
Walter’s remarks about the necessity of players being exposed to various situations to improve reflect the lessons South Africa may learn from the series.
Afghanistan has recently solidified its status as a significant force in international cricket after defeating elite sides like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England, and New Zealand.
This series served as a reminder of the work ahead for South Africa, but as Walter pointed out, it is never embarrassing to lose to a squad the caliber of Afghanistan.
For South Africa’s less experienced players, the series was an invaluable experience in a world of cricket where franchise chances abound.
But the absence of players like Miller and Klaasen highlighted the necessity for more seasoned players in upcoming games against elite teams like Afghanistan.
