by A cricket team from a war-torn country is taking on one of the world’s most established cricket nations. This is exactly what happens when Afghanistan plays South Africa.
The South Africa national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard reads like a modern fairy tale where the underdog sometimes wins against all odds.
Afghanistan’s cricket story is unlike any other in sports history. Just a few years ago, many people didn’t even know Afghanistan played cricket.
Today, they’re beating teams like South Africa and making headlines around the world. It’s a reminder that dreams can come true with hard work and determination.
South Africa, known as the Proteas, has been a cricket powerhouse for decades. They’ve produced legendary players and have always been among the top teams in world cricket.
When they face Afghanistan, it’s like watching a master craftsman meet a talented apprentice who’s learning incredibly fast.
The sa national cricket team vs afg national cricket team match scorecard shows us 9 fascinating encounters that have redefined what we expect from international cricket.
Each match tells a story of courage, skill, disappointment, and triumph. Some games went exactly as predicted, while others shocked the entire cricket world.
South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
What makes this rivalry special is the genuine respect both teams have for each other. South Africa admires Afghanistan’s fighting spirit, while Afghanistan learns from South Africa’s experience and professionalism.
Together, they’ve created some unforgettable cricket moments that fans will talk about for years to come.
South Africa National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Test Matches
The longest format of cricket, Test matches, represents the ultimate challenge in the sport. It’s where legends are made and careers are defined. But surprisingly, South Africa and Afghanistan have never locked horns in a Test match.
This absence isn’t due to a lack of interest or capability. Both teams would love to play Test cricket against each other, but international cricket scheduling is incredibly complex.
Current Test Status:
- Afghanistan achieved Test status in 2017
- They’ve played several Test matches against other countries
- South Africa maintains a busy Test schedule with traditional rivals
- No official dates have been announced for their first Test series
| Test Cricket Facts | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 0 | Missing piece |
| Future Potential | Very high | Historic significance |
| Fan Interest | Massive | Global attention expected |
When this historic first Test match finally happens, it will be a milestone moment for both countries. Afghanistan will get the chance to prove they belong in Test cricket’s elite circle, while South Africa will help nurture cricket’s growth in a developing nation.
The match will likely be closely watched by cricket fans worldwide. Everyone will want to see how Afghanistan’s aggressive limited-overs style translates to the patience and strategy required in five-day cricket.
Cricket experts believe this Test series could happen within the next few years. Both teams’ cricket boards have expressed interest, and fans from both countries are eagerly waiting for the announcement.
South Africa National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: ODI Matches
One Day International cricket has been the stage for this rivalry’s most dramatic moments. In 6 ODI encounters, we’ve seen everything from nail-biting finishes to shocking upsets that nobody saw coming.
The overall statistics tell one story: South Africa leads 4-2. But the real story lies in how those matches unfolded and what they meant for both teams’ journey in international cricket.
ODI Journey Overview:
- First meeting: 2019 World Cup
- Most recent: February 2025
- Afghanistan’s breakthrough wins: Both in 2024
- Closest finish: 5-wicket margin
- Most dominant win: Afghanistan by 177 runs
ICC Champions Trophy 2024-2025- 3rd Match, National Stadium, Karachi, 21st February 2025
The most recent chapter in this rivalry unfolded in Karachi during the prestigious Champions Trophy. This match reminded everyone why South Africa remains one of cricket’s elite teams.
| Match Overview | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 315/6 | 208 |
| Overs Batted | 50.0 | 43.3 |
| Match Result | Comfortable victory | Fought hard |
The Karachi crowd was treated to a masterclass in ODI batting from South Africa. After winning the toss, they chose to bat first and built their innings steadily. Every batsman contributed, creating a total that looked insurmountable.
Afghanistan’s chase started positively, but the required run rate kept climbing. Despite their best efforts and some brilliant individual performances, they fell well short of the target.
Ryan Rickelton emerged as the match hero for South Africa. His innings showcased the technique and temperament that make South African cricket so respected worldwide.
2024- 3rd Match, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, 22nd September 2024
Sharjah has always been a special venue for cricket, and this match added another interesting chapter to its rich history.
| Sharjah Encounter | Afghanistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Team Total | 169 | 170/3 |
| Overs Used | 34.0 | 33.0 |
| Performance | Below par | Clinical chase |
Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first, hoping to set a challenging target. However, they struggled against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack and couldn’t build the partnerships needed for a big total.
The target of 170 runs was well within South Africa’s comfort zone. They approached the chase methodically, never panicking and always staying ahead of the required rate.
The most interesting aspect of this match was that Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Afghanistan won the Man of the Match award despite being on the losing side. This recognition highlighted his exceptional individual performance.
South Africa vs Afghanistan 2024- 2nd Match, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, 20th September 2024
This match will forever be remembered as Afghanistan’s greatest ODI triumph. It was the day they announced themselves as a force capable of beating anyone in world cricket.
| Historic Victory | Afghanistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Total | 311/4 | 134 |
| Overs Faced | 50.0 | 34.2 |
| Victory Margin | 177 runs | Complete dominance |
Everything went right for Afghanistan on this magical day in Sharjah. Their batsmen played with freedom and confidence, building partnerships and scoring boundaries at will. The total of 311 runs gave them a platform to win.
But the real magic happened when they defended this total. South Africa, expected to chase down any target with their experience, crumbled under pressure. They lost wickets regularly and never looked comfortable at any stage.
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s superstar spinner, led the bowling attack brilliantly. His performance on this day will be remembered as one of the finest by any Afghan cricketer.
This victory sent shockwaves through the cricket world. Social media exploded with congratulations for Afghanistan, and cricket experts started taking them more seriously as a competitive force.
South Africa vs Afghanistan 2024- 1st Match, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, 18th September 2024
Sometimes cricket produces matches where every run matters and every ball creates tension. This was exactly that kind of encounter – a low-scoring thriller that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
| Tense Thriller | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 106 | 107/4 |
| Overs | 33.3 | 26.0 |
| Nature | Collapse | Nervous chase |
South Africa’s batting lineup, usually so reliable, completely fell apart on this day. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could never build any momentum. A total of 106 runs looked insufficient the moment they were bowled out.
Afghanistan’s chase should have been straightforward, but pressure makes everything difficult in international cricket. They lost 4 wickets while chasing just 107 runs, showing how tough the conditions were for batting.
Fazalhaq Farooqi became Afghanistan’s hero with his outstanding bowling performance. His ability to create pressure and take wickets at crucial moments proved decisive in this low-scoring encounter.
ICC World Cup 2023- 42nd Match, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 10th November 2023
World Cup matches carry extra weight and pressure. This encounter in Ahmedabad proved that Afghanistan could compete with the best teams even in cricket’s most prestigious tournament.
| World Cup Drama | Afghanistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 244 | 247/5 |
| Overs | 50.0 | 47.3 |
| Finish | Close defeat | Narrow victory |
Afghanistan’s total of 244 runs was competitive enough to make South Africa work hard for victory. In World Cup cricket, every match is crucial, and Afghanistan showed they belonged on the biggest stage.
South Africa’s chase was far from comfortable. They needed partnerships and smart cricket to reach the target, which they eventually did with 15 balls to spare.
Rassie van der Dussen played the match-winning innings for South Africa. His calm approach under pressure showcased the experience that often separates good teams from great teams.
ICC World Cup 2021- 21st Match, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, 15th June 2019
This World Cup encounter in Cardiff showed the gap that existed between these teams in 2019. It was a completely different story from their recent encounters.
| One-Sided Affair | Afghanistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 125 | 131/1 |
| Overs | 34.1 | 28.4 |
| Outcome | Heavy defeat | Easy victory |
Afghanistan’s batting struggled significantly in Cardiff conditions. They were bowled out for a low total that gave South Africa an easy target to chase.
South Africa’s chase was a formality. They reached the target without breaking a sweat, losing only one wicket in the process.
Imran Tahir, the experienced South African spinner, was the star performer with his devastating bowling spell that dismantled Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: T20I Matches
T20 cricket is supposed to be the great equalizer, where anything can happen in 20 overs. However, in this rivalry, South Africa has maintained perfect dominance with 3 wins from 3 matches.
All three T20I encounters happened during T20 World Cups, making them high-pressure situations where both teams had everything to play for.
T20I Summary:
- Perfect record for South Africa: 3-0
- All matches inthe World Cup tournaments
- Margins varying from comfortable to dominant
- Different eras show the evolution of both teams
ICC T20 World Cup 2024- 1st Semi-Final Match, Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad, 26th June 2024
This semi-final represented Afghanistan’s greatest achievement and biggest disappointment on the same day. Reaching a World Cup semi-final was historic, but the performance on the day was heartbreaking.
| Semi-Final Heartbreak | Afghanistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 56 | 60/1 |
| Overs | 11.5 | 8.5 |
| Emotion | Devastation | Relief and joy |
The pressure of a World Cup semi-final seemed to overwhelm Afghanistan’s usually fearless batsmen. They kept losing wickets and never managed to build any partnerships.
South Africa’s chase was completed so quickly that many fans were still finding their seats when the match ended. Marco Jansen’s bowling performance was exceptional and sealed South Africa’s place in the final.
Despite the defeat, Afghanistan’s journey to the semi-final was celebrated worldwide as one of cricket’s greatest underdog stories.
ICC T20 World Cup 2015-2016- 20th Match, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 20th March, 2016
The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai witnessed an entertaining T20 encounter where both teams played positive cricket.
| Mumbai Spectacle | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 209/5 | 172 |
| Overs | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| Entertainment | High-scoring | Entertaining chase |
South Africa’s total of 209 runs was built on aggressive batting and smart partnerships. They showed how to construct a big total in T20 cricket without taking unnecessary risks.
Afghanistan’s response was spirited and entertaining. They scored 172 runs, which showed they weren’t intimidated by the big target and played their natural aggressive game.
Chris Morris emerged as the star performer for South Africa with his all-round contribution that helped secure a comfortable victory.
ICC T20 World Cup 2009-2010- 12th Match, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, 5th May 2010
This match took place when Afghanistan was still finding its feet in international cricket. It was a learning experience that contributed to their eventual rise.
| Early Days | South Africa | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 139/7 | 80 |
| Overs | 20.0 | 16.0 |
| Context | Experienced | Learning phase |
South Africa’s total of 139 runs was defendable on the day, especially against a team still developing its international cricket skills.
Afghanistan’s chase ended disappointingly at 80 runs, but this experience was valuable for their future development.
Morne Morkel’s bowling performance for South Africa highlighted the quality gap that existed between the teams at that time.
FAQs
- How has this rivalry evolved over the years?
The rivalry has transformed dramatically. Early matches showed huge gaps in experience and skill. Recent encounters feature competitive cricket with Afghanistan capable of beating South Africa.
- What’s Afghanistan’s biggest achievement against South Africa?
Their 177-run victory in 2024 stands out as their greatest triumph. It was comprehensive dominance that shocked the cricket world.
- Why do fans love watching these teams play?
The unpredictability factor makes every match exciting. You never know if experience will triumph or if passion will create an upset.
- Which players have shone in this rivalry?
Rashid Khan leads Afghanistan’s performers, while South Africa has seen contributions from various players like Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen.
- What does the future hold for this rivalry?
With Afghanistan improving rapidly and South Africa maintaining their standards, future matches promise to be even more competitive and entertaining.
- How important are these matches for world cricket?
They demonstrate cricket’s global growth and show that traditional hierarchies can be challenged by determined teams.
Also Check:
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- Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
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Conclusion:
The South Africa national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard represents much more than numbers and statistics. It tells the story of cricket’s power to transform lives, nations, and perceptions.
Afghanistan’s journey from cricket minnows to giant-killers inspires millions around the world.
Their victories against South Africa prove that dedication, hard work, and belief can overcome any obstacle. Every Afghan cricket fan feels proud when their team competes with and beats established cricket nations.
South Africa’s role in this rivalry has been equally important. They’ve provided tough competition while showing respect for Afghanistan’s progress.
Their victories demonstrate why they remain one of cricket’s elite teams, while their defeats show that no team can take success for granted.
Key lessons from this rivalry:
- Never underestimate passionate underdogs
- Experience matters, but isn’t everything
- Cricket can unite people across different cultures
- Every match is an opportunity for magic to happen
- Sports have the power to change perceptions
Looking ahead, this rivalry will continue growing in importance and excitement. Afghanistan’s improvement trajectory suggests they’ll become even more competitive, while South Africa’s commitment to excellence ensures high-quality contests.
For cricket fans worldwide, matches between these teams represent everything beautiful about the sport. They showcase skill, determination, respect, and the unpredictable drama that makes cricket the world’s second most popular sport.
Whether you support the experienced Proteas or the inspiring Afghans, one thing is certain – their future encounters will continue providing unforgettable moments that remind us why we fell in love with cricket in the first place.
