2nd ODI: Afghanistan shatter records with 177-run victory over SA
Afghanistan have made history by defeating South Africa in the second ODI by a staggering 177 runs in Sharjah. This victory not only secured their position in the three-match series with a 2-0 lead, but also marked their largest win in ODI history. The match was dominated by outstanding performances from Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who led Afghanistan to set a challenging target of over 300 for South Africa.
Gurbaz and Omarzai's batting prowess propels Afghanistan's score
After winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bat first. Openers Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan set a solid foundation with an 88-run partnership for the first wicket. Gurbaz continued his impressive form, scoring his seventh ODI century before being dismissed at 105 runs in the 35th over. Azmatullah Omarzai also showcased his batting prowess with an unbeaten 86 off just 50 deliveries, helping Afghanistan cross the 300-run mark and finish at 311/4 after 50 overs.
Gurbaz sets new record for Afghanistan
Gurbaz's century in the match has set a new record for Afghanistan. He surpassed Mohammad Shahzad's record of most centuries by an Afghan batter, further cementing his place in the country's cricket history. This achievement underscores Gurbaz's consistent performance and significant contribution to Afghanistan's success in the series against South Africa.
Rashid Khan's birthday special: A 5-wicket haul
SA's chase was disrupted by Omarzai, who ended the opening partnership of 73 runs between Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi. Following this, Khan took center stage with Nangeyalia Kharote to claim the remaining nine wickets for just 61 more runs. On his birthday, Khan achieved a unique feat by becoming the first player in history to take a five-wicket haul on his birthday. He finished with figures of 5/19 in nine overs while Kharote claimed 4/26.
South Africa's struggle and series loss
Despite a promising start, South Africa's chase was cut short at just 134 runs in the 35th over. This resulted in a defeat by 177 runs and also led to their loss in the series with one match remaining. The final match of the series is set to take place in Sharjah on Sunday. Notably, Afghanistan didn't have an international win over SA before this series.
Biggest win for Afghanistan
As per ESPNcricinfo, Afghanistan recorded their biggest ODI win in terms of runs. Biggest win for AFG in ODIs (by runs) 177 vs SA, Sharjah, 2024. 154 vs ZIM, Sharjah, 2018. 146 vs ZIM, Sharjah, 2018. 142 vs BAN, Chattogram, 2023. 138 vs IRE, Sharjah, 2017.
