A shocking moment unfolded during the sixth match of the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Windhoek when South Africa bowler Corn Botha bowled a huge no-ball to Afghanistan batsman Khalid Ahmadzai, which instantly left cricket fans nostalgic.
Massive no-ball brings back memories of Mohammad Amir at ICC U19 World Cup 2026
The incident occurred in the 8.2nd over of Afghanistan U19 team’s batting at the High-Performance Oval when Korn Botha overstepped while bowling to Khalid Ahmadzai.
The no-ball was so huge that it immediately reminded fans of former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir’s infamous no-ball in the 2010 Lord’s Test against England.
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The similarity in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 immediately created a buzz on social media as Botha bowled a spot-fixing no-ball exactly like Amir’s, although South Africa Under-19 will be hoping it was not a deliberate move. However, the moment brought back memories of one of the game’s most controversial chapters.
Get up early in the morning pic.twitter.com/BDsCSF4GMD
– Werner (@Werries_) 16 January 2026
Cricket’s darkest fixing scandal at Lord’s
Going back to that scandal, Mohammad Amir’s no-ball at Lord’s is one of the darkest moments in cricket history. This was a clear and deliberate move, which was later exposed through a covert sting operation by a British newspaper.
An undercover reporter posing as a bookie paid agent Mazhar Majeed, who correctly predicted that Aamir and Mohammad Asif would bowl no-balls at certain times. Both the bowlers did exactly the same on the field.
The scandal rocked world cricket and Aamir, Asif and former Pakistan captain Salman Butt were suspended and even sent to jail. However, Aamir spent only six months in jail along with Butt, and Asif served 30 months and one year in jail respectively.
After early setbacks, South Africa elected to bowl as Afghanistan settled at 96/1
Earlier, South Africa Under-19 captain Mohammed Bulbulia won the toss and elected to field first against Afghanistan in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 match in Windhoek. Afghanistan came into the game looking for a change of pace after a disappointing performance at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, where they failed to win a single group match and were eliminated early.
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They were eliminated from the group stage in the Under-19 Asia Cup. Despite this, Afghanistan have a strong history in the tournament, having reached the knockouts four times since their debut in 2010 and reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup twice.
On the other hand, the South Africa U19 team is aiming to go one step further in 2024 after missing out on the title on home soil. Currently, the Afghan team is at 96/1 with Khalid Ahmadzai and Faisal Shinzada batting patiently and brilliantly against South Africa after Usman Sadat lost cheaply to Buyanda Majola in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup encounter.
Teams to clash for ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026:
South Africa U19 Playing XI: Zorich van Schalkwyk, Adnan Lagadian, Muhammad Bulbulia (c), Jason Rowles, Arman Manac, Paul James, Daniel Bosman, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (wk), Korn Botha, JJ Basson, Bayanda Majola.
Afghanistan U19 Playing XI: Usman Sadat, Khalid Ahmedzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mehboob Khan (WK/Captain), Azizullah Miyakhil, Khatir Stanikzai, Nuristani Omarzai, Abdul Aziz, Waheedullah Zadran, Hafeez Zadran.
