Afghanistan took their first series win against a team ranked in the ICC’s top five with a 177-run victory over South Africa in Sharjah on Friday evening (20/9).

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat. Opening batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a magnificent 105 from 110 balls before finally losing his wicket to Nandre Burger. Both Riaz Hassan (29) and Rahmat Shah (50) made useful contributions with the bat, while Azmatullah Omarzai’s 86 not out completed a strong top order performance. 

South Africa’s bowlers and fielders struggled in the heat and Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Burger and Aidan Markram took a wicket each.

Only four score double-digits

Setting the South Africans a target of 311/4, Afghanistan posted their tenth total of 300 or more. That means South Africa had to complete their sixth-highest successful chase to equal the series.

Only South Africa’s top four batters got double digits with captain Temba Bavuma (38) scoring the most runs. Fellow-opening batsman Tony de Zorzi (31), Reeza Hendricks (17) and Markram (21) tried to lay a foundation for the middle order, but a collapse of 10 for 61 meant the Proteas fell far too short and recorded their fifth-biggest defeat by runs.

Rashid Khan turned 26 on Friday. Photo: Facebook

It was a day of celebrations for Afghanistan: birthday-boy Rashid Khan turned 26 and took his fifth career five-for. It was also Gurbaz’s seventh ODI century and Omarzi’s fastest fifty in the format.

Afghanistan leads the series 2-0 with one match remaining, which will be played on Sunday (22/9) in Sharjah.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger mc/cg