In one of Afghanistan’s most memorable victories, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan led the charge as Afghanistan defeated South Africa by 177 runs in the second ODI in Sharjah on Friday. It marked a significant milestone for Afghanistan, achieving their first-ever series victory over the Proteas.
🏏 Afghanistan’s Strong Batting Display
Afghanistan posted an imposing total of 311/4, with Gurbaz scoring a composed 105 off 110 balls, marking his seventh ODI century and the first for Afghanistan against South Africa. His innings was complemented by a blistering 86 off 50 balls from Azmatullah Omarzai, who dominated with powerful boundaries.
Interestingly, several Afghan batters, including Gurbaz, played without bat sponsors—perhaps highlighting the team’s growing prominence in international cricket despite the challenging circumstances in their homeland.
💥 Rashid’s Fiery Spell
The star of the show was Rashid Khan, who defied a hamstring injury to deliver a remarkable performance with the ball, claiming 5/19 in nine overs. His spell dismantled South Africa’s middle order, triggering a collapse that saw the Proteas bowled out for just 134 in 34.2 overs. Rashid’s birthday heroics made him the first cricketer in international history to take five wickets on their birthday.
Adding to the pressure, Nangeyalia Kharote grabbed 4/26 in just his second ODI, further stifling South Africa’s efforts to chase down the target.
🎙️ A Milestone Victory
This triumph was more than just a win for Afghanistan—it showcased their depth, resilience, and confidence as a team. Rashid, despite his injury, knew his contribution would be crucial, and his perseverance paid off as Afghanistan secured the series with a game to spare.
As Shaun Pollock aptly stated, “Whatever money Rashid Khan gets paid should go to the physio,” emphasizing the immense effort required to get Rashid ready to perform despite his injury.
Afghanistan’s dominant performance is a testament to their growing strength as a cricketing nation, and with talents like Rashid, Gurbaz, and Omarzai stepping up, more historic moments are surely on the horizon.