Afghanistan seals historic win in cricket series against South Africa | Sports News

Afghanistan cricketers seal their three-match ODI series against South Africa with a 177-run win in Sharjah.

Afghan cricketers sealed a historic victory in the One-Day International series against South Africa with a 117-run win in the second match in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, on Friday.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a superb 105 as Afghanistan posted a score of 311-4 after winning the coin toss. It was the seventh century of the 22-year-old’s ODI career, making him the first Afghan player to reach the mark. He hit ten fours and three sixes.

Two days after winning the series opener by six wickets – their first ODI win against the Proteas – the hosts bowled out their visitors for 134, with Rashid Khan taking 5-19 after returning from injury, while fellow spinner Nangeyalia Kharote took 4-26.

The tourists had reached a record of 103-3, with captain Temba Bavuma top-scoring with 38 off 47 balls, but lost their last seven wickets for 31 runs.

Afghanistan dominates South Africa with bat and ball

Afghanistan started the game well with the bat as the openers took advantage of the decision to bat first.

Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan scored 88 for the first wicket before Aiden Markram took Hassan to leg for 29.

That brought in Rahmat Shah (50), who shared a 101-run partnership with Gurbaz before the opener fell shortly after reaching his milestone, bowled by Nandre Burger for 105.

With that out, the innings slowed down, although Azmatullah Omarzai went all out with a quick, unbeaten 86 runs in 50 balls, including six sixes, to force the Proteas to fight an uncomfortable comeback.