South Africa denied Afghanistan a series sweep with a seven-wicket win in the third and final cricket ODI.
Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 69 led South Africa to 170-3 with 17 overs to spare in the one-day international after Afghanistan collapsed for the first time in the series and was bowled out for 169 in 34 overs.
Afghanistan won the series 2-1.
An inexperienced South Africa was dismissed for 106 and 134 in the first two games, but Markram paced the chase well on yet another slow wicket at Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a gritty 67-ball innings.
“Feeling very happy with the series win,” Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said. “I would be more happy if we would have won this match.” He called the three runouts of his team’s batters “a big reason why we didn’t finish on top.”