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Rashid Khan's five-wicket haul helped Afghanistan to script history by registering their first ODI series win against South Africa with a sensational 177-run victory in the second match of the three-match series here. The 177-run victory is Afghanistan's biggest victory by runs in ODI, bettering the previous best of 154-run win against Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan secured a memorable series win over another Test-playing nation, clinching the three-match series with a 2-0 lead after their second victory on Friday, following a six-wicket win on Wednesday.
Choosing to bat first, Afghanistan set a formidable target of 311/4 in 50 overs, powered by a stunning century from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and half-centuries from Rahmat Shah (50) and Azmatullah Omarzai (86 not out).
In response, South Africa struggled to build on a promising 73-run opening partnership, collapsing in the middle and lower order to be bowled out for just 134 in 34.2 overs, suffering a heavy defeat with around 15 overs remaining. Rashid Khan shone with impressive bowling figures of 5 wickets for 19 runs off 9 overs, while Nangeyalia Kharote took 5 for 19, contributing to Afghanistan's dominant victory.
After captain Hashmatullah Shahidi elected to bat first, Gurbaz notched his seventh ODI century, breaking Ahmad Shahzad's record for the most centuries by an Afghanistan batter. He formed an 88-run opening partnership with Riaz Hassan (29), reaching his half-century in just 56 balls. Gurbaz then teamed up with Rahman for a 101-run partnership, with Rahman scoring a quick-fire 50 off 66 balls, including two boundaries.
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Gurbaz reached his milestone in 107 balls, smashing 10 boundaries and three sixes. He was ultimately dismissed for 105 off 110 balls, bowled by Nandre Burget with a delivery that nipped back and struck the top of the stumps after Gurbaz swung and missed.
Azmatullah Omarzai then took charge, blasting an unbeaten 86 off just 50 balls, including five boundaries and six massive sixes, which propelled Afghanistan to a formidable total.
Chasing 312, South Africa started strongly with captain Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi putting together a 73-run partnership in 14 overs. Bavuma scored 38 off 47 balls, hitting four boundaries and one six, while de Zorzi contributed 31 runs off 44 balls. However, after Reeza Hendricks (17) and Aiden Markram (21) helped South Africa reach 103/4 in the 24th over, they fell apart. Veteran spinner Rashid Khan and left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote wreaked havoc, leading to a rapid collapse as South Africa struggled to maintain momentum.
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