Gurbaz, Rashid, Omarzai and Nangial Star as AfghanAtalan Clinch ODI Series

Kabul – September 20, 2024: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (105), Azmatullah Omarzay (86* & 1/17), Rashid Khan (5/19) and Nangyal Kharoti (4/26) starred in the 2nd ODI match to help AfghanAtalan beat South Africa by 177 Runs and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bat first. The openers put on a solid 88-run partnership for the first wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz held his nerve and brought up his 7th hundred in ODIs. Gurbaz has now scored 7 hundreds in the format which is the most for Afghanistan in the format, breaking Mohammad Shahzad's record (6).

Azmatullah Omarzai also stepped up and provided the inning with an excellent finishing touch as he scored an unbeaten 86* runs off 50 deliveries and struck 5 fours and 6 sixes to help AfghanAtalan post 311/4 runs in the first inning. Rahmat Shah Zurmati also contributed to the total with a half-century to his name.

In reply, South Africa started off really well and put on a 73-run stand for the first wicket, the stand that was ended by Azmatullah Omarzai. Then, arrived Rashid Khan, who was bowling with some cramps in his right hamstring, and simply ran through the Proteas’ middle-order to return with some excellent figures of 5/19 to his name. Tonight’s fifer was Rashid Khan’s 4th in ODIs.

Another major contributor for Afghanistan was the left-arm orthodox Nangyal Kharoti, who took four wickets for 26 runs to help Afghanistan bundle out South Africa for 134 runs to win the game by 177 runs and complete the series victory with a game yet to be played.

Rashid Khan, who put on a memorable bowling effort and was a major contributor in Afghanistan’s series win over South Africa, was awarded the Player of the Match.

The third match of the ODI series is scheduled to be played on Sunday, September 22 at the same, Sharjah Cricket Stadium.