AFG vs SA: Afghanistan creates history, wins ODI series against South Africa: Afghanistan has written a new chapter in cricket history by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in their first bilateral ODI series against South Africa.
In the second match played in Sharjah, Afghanistan defeated South Africa by 177 runs, which is their first series win against any top five ranked team of ICC.
This win also proved to be Afghanistan’s biggest ever win in ODI cricket, breaking the record of 154 runs win against Zimbabwe in 2018.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan played a key role in this magnificent victory. Gurbaz scored his seventh ODI century of his career, the most by any Afghan batsman. Rahmat Shah (50) and Azmatullah Omarzai (86*) provided him with strong assistance.
Omarzai also holds the record for the fastest half-century in ODIs for Afghanistan by scoring a half-century in 32 balls.
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Afghanistan posted a challenging score of 311/4 in 50 overs. This was the 10th time Afghanistan scored 300+ runs in ODIs, and this is their sixth highest score.
In bowling, Rashid Khan, who was celebrating his 26th birthday, devastated the South African batting order and took a brilliant five wickets.
Left-arm spinner Ngeyaliya Kharote, who took four wickets in just his third ODI, also played a big role in reducing South Africa from 73/0 to 134 runs.
Afghanistan are now eyeing a historic whitewash against South Africa in the third and final match on September 22.
Afghanistan’s highest margin of victory by runs (in ODIs)
| Opposition | Margin | Year |
| South Africa | 177 runs | 2024 |
| Zimbabwe | 154 runs | 2018 |
| Zimbabwe | 146 runs | 2018 |
| Bangladesh | 142 runs | 2023 |
| Ireland | 138 runs | 2017 |
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Source: ICC
