Afghanistan has made history by securing their first-ever bilateral ODI series win against South Africa.
In the second match held in Sharjah, Afghanistan dominated with a 177-run victory, clinching an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. This victory also marks Afghanistan’s first series win against a top-five ICC-ranked ODI team, representing a significant milestone for Afghan cricket.
The match featured Afghanistan’s largest margin of victory in ODI history, surpassing their previous record of a 154-run win over Zimbabwe in 2018 at the same venue.
Key performances came from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan. Gurbaz delivered an impressive century, his seventh in ODIs, the most by any Afghan batter in the format. He was well-supported by Rahmat Shah, who contributed a solid 50, and Azmatullah Omarzai, who smashed an unbeaten 86 off just 32 balls, including the fastest fifty by an Afghan player in ODIs.
Thanks to these stellar contributions, Afghanistan set a formidable total of 311/4 in their 50 overs, marking the 10th instance they have crossed the 300-run threshold in ODIs and their sixth-highest score.
With the ball, Rashid Khan celebrated his 26th birthday in style by taking a brilliant five-wicket haul, dismantling the South African batting lineup. Nangeyalia Kharote, in only his third ODI, also shone with four wickets as South Africa collapsed from a promising 73/0 to being bowled out for just 134.
Afghanistan will aim to complete a historic whitewash in the final ODI against South Africa on Sunday, September 22.
