Rahmanullah Gurbaz led Afghanistan’s batting with a score of 105, making him the first Afghan player to score seven ODI centuries.Afghanistan amassed a total of 311 for 4 in challenging heat conditions in Sharjah. South Africa, in response, were bowled out for just 134 in the 35th over.
Rashid Khan, celebrating his 26th birthday, took 5 wickets for 19 runs, while Nangeyalia Kharote contributed with 4 for 26. Afghanistan will aim for a series sweep in the final ODI on Sunday.
Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai played crucial roles for Afghanistan’s first 300-plus score against South Africa in an ODI. Besides Gurbaz’s century, Omarzai remained unbeaten at 86 off 50 balls. Rahmat Shah also added a steady 50 runs.
Gurbaz played a maiden over from Bjorn Fortuin when he was at 99 but then reached his century by sweeping Aiden Markram to square leg.
Nandre Burger eventually dismissed Gurbaz. However, Afghanistan continued to accelerate, adding 93 runs in the last 10 overs.
South Africa’s bowlers struggled in the humid conditions, with only spinners Fortuin and Markram maintaining some control, conceding 59 runs in their 14 overs combined.
South Africa began their chase with promise. Captain Temba Bavuma, returning from illness, scored 38 and shared a 73-run opening partnership with Tony de Zorzi, who scored 31. However, South Africa’s innings collapsed after Bavuma’s dismissal as Omarzai struck.
Thereafter, the Proteas’ run-chase crashed as they lost seven wickets for 39 runs, and Rashid Khan completed his five-wicket haul by bowling Markram for 21. Kharote wrapped up the innings, mirroring the first ODI’s collapse where South Africa fell to 36 for 7 in the first 10 overs.
