India are the only team with a rare achievement against Afghanistan |courtesy- @Rashid.Khan19 – Instagram
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Afghanistan beat South Africa by 6 wickets
- India are the only team in the world with a rare achievement
- Afghanistan beat South Africa for the first time in international cricket
The Afghanistan Cricket Team created history on Wednesday (September 18) at the Sharjah Cricket Ground after they defeated South Africa by six wickets in the first ODI of a three-match series in a low-scoring clash. The Hasmatullah Shahidi-led outfit continued their incredible run of form in international cricket after impressive displays in the 2023 World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup.
This result is the first time Afghanistan has beaten South Africa in any form of international cricket in the history of the sport. Previously, the two sides had faced each other five times (2 ODIS, 3 T20Is), with the Proteas emerging victorious on each occasion, including the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final earlier this year.
India’s Distinctive Achievement vs Afghanistan
With their victory over South Africa, Afghanistan have now beaten 11 of the 12 full member nations in international cricket. India remain the only team in the world (among full member nations) who are yet to lose a match against Afghanistan in any format of the game.
India have played Afghanistan in one Test match, 4 ODIs, and 9 T20Is so far. However, Afghanistan have come close to beating India as the two teams have played one tie in both ODI and T20Is. The two teams finished level on scores in a 2018 Asia Cup game. Earlier this year, the two teams played out a tie in a T20I at Bengaluru and the match saw a rare double super over before India sealed a tense win.
Afghanistan’s first and only win over South Africa, New Zealand, England, Australia have all come within the last 12 months. The Shahidi-led outfit beat England in the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Delhi last year before beating both New Zealand and Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Bangladesh are the only three teams Afghanistan have beaten in all three formats of the game. Meanwhile, they have 3 T20I and one ODI win over Pakistan. The 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finalist have multiple victories over Sri Lanka and West Indies in both ODI and T20Is.
