Sharjah Cricket Ground in the UAE, renowned for staging some of cricket's most iconic matches, will host the first ODI of the three-match series between Afghanistan and South Africa. This match holds special significance as it will be the 250th ODI played at Sharjah, making it the first stadium in the world to reach this remarkable milestone.
The venue's journey began on April 6, 1984, when it hosted its first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Sharjah remains the only ground globally to have hosted over 200 ODIs, with the next on the list being Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, which has held 182 ODIs.
Other notable venues include Sydney Cricket Ground with 161 ODIs and Melbourne Cricket Ground and R Premadasa Stadium, each with 151 ODIs.
While Sharjah has become synonymous with ODI cricket, it has hosted just four Test matches and 38 T20Is. In this series opener, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, with Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi opening. Aiden Markram is leading the team in place of Temba Bavuma, who is out due to illness.