Afghanistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi made an immediate impact in his ICC Champions Trophy debut, taking a wicket off his very first delivery in the tournament. Introduced into the attack in the sixth over against South Africa, Nabi dismissed Tony de Zorzi with a well-flighted off-break that gripped and bounced, forcing the batter into a mistimed shot.
The dismissal occurred at 28/1 in 5.1 overs, with de Zorzi attempting a half-hearted flat-batted stroke against a delivery that held up slightly on the surface. The ball lobbed towards mid-on, where Azmatullah Omarzai took a safe catch, giving Afghanistan their first breakthrough. De Zorzi departed after scoring 11 off 11 balls, including two boundaries.
This wicket marks an incredible moment for the 40-year-old Nabi, who became the fourth-oldest debutant in Champions Trophy history earlier in the day. His introduction into the attack came at a crucial time, and his immediate success could set the tone for Afghanistan’s bowling attack.
Match Situation:
- South Africa: 30/1 in 6 overs
- Current Batters: Ryan Rickelton (18 off 21), Temba Bavuma (1 off 4)
- Bowling Figures:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: 3-0-15-0
- Mohammad Nabi: 1-0-2-1
Afghanistan’s decision to bring in spin early has paid off, and Nabi’s experience could be a game-changer as they look to put pressure on South Africa in this crucial Group B encounter at the National Stadium, Karachi.