NEW DELHI: South Africa narrowly escaped setting a new record for their lowest score in a one-day international, managing to score a paltry 106 runs before being bowled out by Afghanistan in the first ODI at Sharjah on Wednesday.
In the absence of regular captain Tenda Bavuma, who was ill, Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bat first, reported AFP.
The opening partnership of Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorbi put on 17 runs before Hendricks was bowled by left-arm fast bowler Fazhalhaq Farooqi for 9, triggering a spectacular collapse that saw South Africa slump to 36-7.
Farooqi, who ended with figures of 4-35, also dismissed Markram (2) and de Zorzi (11), while AM Ghazanfar (3-20) claimed the wickets of ODI debutant Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs for ducks, as well as Kyle Verreynne for 10.
South Africa's woes were compounded when Andile Phehlukwayo was run out by Mohammad Nabi after wandering off while Ghazanfar was appealing for leg before.
With only 10 overs bowled, South Africa's lowest-ever ODI score of 69, set against Australia in Sydney in 1993, appeared to be under threat.
However, an eighth-wicket stand of 39 between Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin helped them avoid that ignominy and offered hope of a recovery.
Fortuin was eventually bowled by Rashid Khan, playing his first ODI since last year's World Cup, but Mulder carried on to reach his maiden ODI half-century, pushing the total past 100.
He was eventually dismissed by Farooqi for 52 off 84 balls, which included five fours and a six.
Rashid brought the innings to a close in the 33.3 overs, trapping Lungi Ngidi leg before to finish with figures of 2-30.
