KIMBERLEY: Shafiqullah Ghafari claimed career-best figures of six for 15 for Afghanistan as they recorded a stunning seven-wicket victory over hosts South Africa in the opening match of the ICC U-19 World Cup here at the Diamond Oval on Friday.

After winning the toss and batting, the Junior Proteas were rocked by two early wickets from Fazal Farooq (2-43). It was then up to the South African captain, Bryce Parsons (40) and Luke Beaufort (25), who teamed up for a 55-run stand for the third wicket.

Ghafari, the 18-year-old leg-spinner, shone to help dismiss South Africa for a paltry 129 before Imran Mir (57) and opener Ibrahim Zadran (52) struck impressive half-centuries to make light work of the chase.

The home side was then pegged back once again, as the spinners came into the attack to pick up the remaining eight wickets.

Noor Ahmed (2-44) and Ghafari combined to lethal effect, as the former picked up the crucial scalps of Parsons and Beaufort before Ghafari cleaned up the middle-order and tail-enders for just 67 runs.

In reply and despite losing the early wicket of captain, Farhan Zakhail (11), Afghanistan never looked troubled in pursuit of the low score, with the experienced Zadran and Mir putting on a match-winning 80-run partnership.

South Africa’s Achille Cloete (2-20) and Tiaan van Vuuren (1-14) made inroads but it was not enough as the subcontinent outfit cantered to victory with 25 overs remaining.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2020