Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Rashid Khan Lead Afghanistan to a 177-Run Over South Africa
In an incredible show of cricket, Afghanistan beat South Africa by 177 runs in the second ODI. This match, played on Friday, really showed how good Afghanistan is getting on the international scene. Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Rashid Khan were key players in this series win.
Gurbaz’s Amazing Century
Rahmanullah Gurbaz took center stage with a fantastic century, scoring 105 runs from 110 balls. He hit 10 fours & 3 sixes, marking his seventh century in ODIs. As he opened the innings, Gurbaz created a solid start with Riaz Hassan, putting together 88 runs for the first wicket. After Hassan got out, Gurbaz kept the momentum going with Rahmat Shah, who added another 50 runs in a crucial partnership of 101 runs.
Gurbaz really set things up for Afghanistan, taking them to a strong total of 311 runs for 4 wickets. After he left, Azmatullah Omarzai finished with a bang, scoring 86 runs from just 50 balls and leaving the Proteas staring down a tough target.
Rashid Khan’s Magical Spin
When Afghanistan fielded, all eyes were on Rashid Khan, who celebrated his 26th birthday in an amazing way. The spinning wizard took charge, grabbing 5 wickets for only 19 runs in his nine overs. His outstanding performance wrecked the South African batting lineup as they were bowled out for just 134 runs by the 35th over.
Rashid took important wickets including Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, and Wiaan Mulder with his tricky spin bowling. South Africa began okay with a good start of 73 runs for their opening partnership but fell apart when their main scorers Temba Bavuma (38) & Tony de Zorzi (31) got out.
What They Said After
After the game,id talked about his fight to keep playing despite a hamstring injury. He stated, “I had a hamstring injury, but I tried my best to stay on the ground and do my best for the team.” His effort not only helped win but also gave him a total of 190 ODI wickets, showing he’s one of the top bowlers out there.
South Africa’s captain Bavuma admitted they didn’t play well enough. He said, “It was not a good enough performance. We were not able to take ten wickets, & that’s a conversation we need to have.” His thoughts reflect how the Proteas need to reset before their final ODI.
Looking Ahead
With this series already won by Afghanistan, they’re aiming for another victory in the third & final match in Sharjah on Sunday. The recent performances led by players like Gurbaz & Rashid show that they can hold their own against big teams.
As Afghanistan continues climbing up in international cricket, fans are excited about what’s next for this talented squad. Their recent win over South Africa not only boosts their confidence but also proves they’re becoming a strong force in ODIs.