On Friday, September 20, Afghanistan’s team defeated South Africa for the second time in a row in an ODI. Under the captaincy of Hashmatullah Shahidi, they secured a massive 177-run victory in Sharjah, marking their biggest win in ODI history. With this, Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series, making history by winning an ODI series against South Africa for the first time. Afghanistan set a target of 312 runs, which South Africa failed to chase, getting bowled out for just 134 runs.
Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first. With Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring 105 and Azmatullah Omarzai blasting 86 runs, Afghanistan posted a total of 311 runs. South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, along with Tony de Zorzi, gave a decent start with a 73-run opening partnership. However, Bavuma was dismissed by Omarzai, and after his wicket, South Africa’s batting collapsed. The team lost all 10 wickets for just 61 additional runs.
Azmatullah Omarzai provided Afghanistan with the first breakthrough, and then spin duo Rashid Khan and Nangelia Kharote took over the bowling attack. South Africa’s batting crumbled under pressure as both bowlers dismantled their lineup. Rashid Khan took 5 wickets, giving away just 19 runs in 9 overs, while Kharote claimed 4 wickets for 26 runs in 6.2 overs. Consequently, South Africa was bowled out for 134. In the first ODI, they were bundled out for just 106 runs, a total Afghanistan chased down with ease.
Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan gave a strong start, adding 88 runs for the first wicket. After the first breakthrough, Gurbaz partnered with Rahmat Shah to add 101 runs. Rahmat Shah scored 50 before being dismissed at 189, paving the way for Azmatullah Omarzai to come in at No. 4. Omarzai unleashed a brutal attack on South Africa’s bowlers, smashing 86 runs off just 50 balls at a strike rate of 172, including 6 sixes and 5 fours. On the other end, Gurbaz completed his seventh ODI century, scoring 105 runs off 110 balls.
