Afghanistan made history by claiming their first-ever series win against a top-five ICC-ranked ODI team, dominating South Africa with a 177-run victory in the second match.
This triumph also marked Afghanistan’s largest margin of victory in ODI cricket, surpassing their previous record of 154 runs against Zimbabwe at the same venue in 2018.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was instrumental in Afghanistan’s success, scoring his seventh ODI century, which is the most by any Afghanistan batter in the format.
He was well-supported by Rahmat Shah, who contributed 50 runs, and Azmatullah Omarzai, who finished on 86 not out.
Omarzai also made headlines by recording the fastest half-century for Afghanistan in ODIs, reaching his fifty in just 32 balls.
Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 311/4 in their 50 overs, marking the 10th time they’ve crossed the 300-run mark in ODIs and achieving their sixth-highest score in the format.
With the ball, Rashid Khan, celebrating his 26th birthday, was exceptional, taking five wickets for just 19 runs. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, in only his third ODI, supported Rashid by claiming four wickets, leading to South Africa’s dramatic collapse from 73/0 to being bowled out for just 134 runs.
Afghanistan is now eyeing a historic whitewash as they prepare to face South Africa in the final ODI on Sunday, September 22.
