Afghanistan make history with Gurbaz, Omarzai and Rashid’s heroics against South Africa

The second ODI between Afghanistan and South Africa in the UAE saw a dominant display from Afghanistan, who claimed a comprehensive 177-run victory at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The win not only secured the series for Afghanistan with a 2-0 lead but also highlighted their growing prowess in international cricket.

Afghanistan’s strong start with the bat

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Afghanistan’s openers set the tone for a powerful innings. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, continuing his excellent form, was the star of the show, anchoring the innings with a magnificent century. His knock of 105 from 110 balls was laced with 10 fours and 3 sixes. Gurbaz played with maturity, combining aggression with patience, and provided the perfect platform for Afghanistan to build a formidable total.

Supporting him at the top was Riaz Hassan, who contributed 29 off 45 deliveries. Though Hassan fell relatively early, his partnership with Gurbaz helped Afghanistan get off to a solid start. Rahmat Shah, coming in at number three, added a valuable 50 from 66 balls. His composed innings ensured that Afghanistan didn’t lose momentum even as South Africa’s bowlers tried to make inroads.

However, the real fireworks came from Azmatullah Omarzai, whose blistering 86 not out off just 50 balls propelled Afghanistan to an imposing total. Omarzai’s innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, with the right-hander smashing 5 fours and 6 sixes. His aggressive approach in the middle overs made it difficult for the South African bowlers to contain him, and he finished with a strike rate of 172, proving to be the difference-maker in the game. Afghanistan finished at 311/4 in their quota of 50 overs.

South Africa’s bowlers had a difficult day on the field, with none of them able to stem the flow of runs. Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 1/50 from his 10 overs. Nandre Burger (1/68) and Nqabayomzi Peter (1/68) also managed to grab a wicket each, but the pressure from Afghanistan’s batsmen was relentless. Bjorn Fortuin was economical, conceding just 39 runs in his 10 overs but remained wicketless.

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Rashid Khan’s bowling masterclass

Chasing a daunting target of 312, South Africa’s innings never got going. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s talismanic leg-spinner, delivered one of his finest performances with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 19 runs in 9 overs. His lethal bowling decimated South Africa’s middle and lower order, leaving them with no chance of chasing down the target.

South Africa’s openers, Temab Bavuma (38 off 47) and Tony de Zorzi (31 off 44), gave a cautious start, but the introduction of spin saw a dramatic collapse. Aiden Markram, known for his ability to play spin, managed 21 off 30, but like his teammates, he struggled to handle the guile and precision of Rashid. South Africa’s middle order crumbled under the pressure, with Tristan Stubbs (5 off 6), Kyle Verreynne (2 off 2), and Wiaan Mulder (2 off 7) all falling cheaply. The tail offered little resistance as South Africa were bundled out for 134 in just 34.2 overs.

Nangeyalia Kharote provided excellent support to Rashid, taking 4 wickets for 26 runs in his 6.2 overs. His ability to extract sharp turn and bounce troubled the South African batters throughout their innings. Omarzai, fresh off his heroics with the bat, also contributed with the ball, picking up 1 wicket for 17 runs in his 3 overs.

Afghanistan’s dominance in the ODI series

With this resounding victory, Afghanistan sealed the three-match series, having already won the first ODI by 6 wickets. This triumph is a significant achievement for Afghanistan, especially considering the strength of the South African team. Rashid Khan was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-winning bowling performance.

This win highlights Afghanistan’s growing stature in world cricket. Their top-order batting, combined with their world-class spin attack, makes them a formidable force, especially in conditions that favor turn. The leadership of captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and the contributions from key players like Gurbaz, Omarzai and Rashid have been instrumental in their success.

With two wins in the bag, Afghanistan will be aiming for a clean sweep in the third and final ODI, scheduled for Sunday, September 22, at the same venue. South Africa, on the other hand, will be looking to salvage some pride and avoid a whitewash.