South Africa 187/6 vs Afghanistan: Proteas Finish Strong

South Africa vs Afghanistan First Inning Update: From the moment Ryan Rickelton found his timing, this innings had intent written all over it. The early loss of Aiden Markram to Fazalhaq Farooqi did not stall South Africa for long. Quinton de Kock settled quickly, using the pace on offer to pierce the infield, while Rickelton went harder, especially square of the wicket. Their stand shifted the momentum in a hurry. 

The strong top-order partnership worked for South Africa. Quinton de Kock 59 off 41 and Rickelton’s 61 off 28 balls came in a blur, with clean strikes down the ground and fearless sweeps once Rashid Khan was introduced. At 126 for 1 in the 13th over, South Africa were eyeing something well beyond 190.

Afghanistan Hit Back Through Spin and Variations

Afghanistan, though, stayed in the contest through Rashid and Azmatullah Omarzai. Rashid removed both de Kock and Rickelton in the same over, and you could sense a brief pause in the scoring. 

The pitch offered grip for the spinners as the ball got older, forcing Dewald Brevis to take fewer risks. Omarzai’s variations at the death were clever, mixing pace and hitting the wide lines, and he finished with three wickets. Still, David Miller kept things moving with calculated hits, and Marco Jansen’s late burst ensured South Africa squeezed 32 from the last three overs.

On a surface that rewarded positive strokeplay early but slowed slightly later, 187 feels competitive. Afghanistan will believe it is chaseable, yet South Africa has the scoreboard pressure firmly on their side at the break.