Afghanistan won a series against South Africa for the first time

Afghanistan won a series against South Africa for the first time

Afghanistan won the series by defeating South Africa in the second consecutive ODI on Friday. In this match held in Sharjah, the Afghanistan team won by 177 runs. This is its biggest win in terms of runs in ODIs. With this, the team has won a series against South Africa in any format for the first time.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat first. Due to the record 7th century of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the team set a target of 312 runs in front of Africa.

The South African team, which came out to chase the target, could not stand in front of the Afghan spinners and was reduced to 134 runs. Birthday boy Rashid Khan took 5 wickets, while Nangealiya Kharote got 4 wickets. Captain Temba Bavuma scored the highest 38 runs from Africa. In the first ODI, Afghanistan defeated South Africa by 6 wickets. The team has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's century Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz batted brilliantly. He scored 105 runs off 110 balls. Gurbaz hit 10 fours and 3 sixes in his innings. He added 88 runs off 105 balls with Riaz Hasan for the first wicket. Gurbaz has become the batsman to score the most centuries in all three formats for Afghanistan. Now he has 8 centuries. Wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad is at number two with 7 centuries.

Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmat Shah's half centuries Rahmat Shah made a century partnership with Gurbaz. Both of them together added 101 runs off 102 balls for the team. Rahmat Shah played an innings of 50 runs with the help of 2 fours. Apart from him, Azmatullah Omarzai scored an unbeaten 86 runs while batting at a strike rate of 172. He hit 5 fours and 6 sixes in his innings. He shared a 55-run partnership in 41 balls with Mohammad Nabi for the fourth wicket. Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Nkaba Peter and Aiden Markram took 1-1 wickets for South Africa.

South Africa's great start Chasing the target of 312 runs, South Africa's openers Temba Bavuma and Tony de Jorge gave a great start. Both of them together added 73 runs for the first wicket, but after this no African batsman could stay on the crease. Captain Temba Bavuma scored the highest 38 runs. The last 7 batsmen could not even touch the double digit mark. South Africa was all out for just 134 runs in 34.2 overs and lost the match by 177 runs.

Rashid Khan, who is celebrating his 26th birthday, bowled brilliantly. He took 5 wickets for 19 runs in 9 overs. Rashid also bowled a maiden over in his bowling spell. He dismissed Tony de Giorgi, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Kiel Vereen and Wiaan Mulder. Rashid Khan was adjudged the Player of the Match. Left arm spinner Nangeyaliya Kharote took 4 wickets.