South Africa struck at a crucial moment as Lungi Ngidi removed Azmatullah Omarzai with a brilliant piece of fielding from Tristan Stubbs near the boundary rope.
Ngidi delivered a slower off-cutter on leg stump, tempting Omarzai to go for the lofted shot. The Afghan batter stepped forward and tried to clear the infield, but did not get the desired elevation or distance.
Stationed right at the edge of the boundary, Stubbs kept his composure under pressure. Realising he was about to step over the rope, he smartly grabbed the ball, flicked it back into the field of play while airborne, regained his balance inside the boundary, and completed the catch on his second attempt.
The awareness and timing were spot on, turning what looked like a potential six into a wicket. Omarzai departed for 22 off 17 balls, which included three boundaries.
It was a moment of sharp fielding that swung momentum back in South Africa’s favour during a tense phase of the chase.