Afghanistan’s explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz etched his name in the history books by surpassing Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and equalling Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli’s record for the most ODI centuries before turning 23. The dynamic 22-year-old achieved this milestone during Afghanistan’s second ODI match against South Africa in Sharjah, marking his seventh ODI century in a match that led to Afghanistan’s historic series win over the Proteas.
Gurbaz’s 105-run knock off 110 balls, embellished with 10 boundaries and 3 towering sixes, laid the foundation for Afghanistan’s commanding total of 311/4. His innings derailed South Africa’s bowling attack, as he played with confidence and flair, picking gaps effortlessly and dispatching the bowlers to the fence with ease. In doing so, Gurbaz not only surpassed Babar Azam, who had scored six centuries before turning 23, but also equalled the illustrious record held by Kohli, who had amassed seven ODI centuries before reaching the same age.
A Historic Series Win for Afghanistan
The second ODI turned out to be a historic occasion for Afghanistan, as they clinched a memorable 177-run victory, securing their first-ever series win over a top-five-ranked team in the ICC ODI standings. With this victory, Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, sending shockwaves across the cricketing world.
Gurbaz’s innings was complemented by a solid 88-run opening partnership with fellow Afghan opener Riaz Hassan, which set the tone for the rest of the innings. Following Gurbaz’s departure, Azmatullah Omarzai’s quickfire 86* further propelled Afghanistan to a formidable total. Omarzai’s clean striking ensured that the momentum built by Gurbaz remained intact, allowing Afghanistan to post a highly competitive target.
South Africa’s reply, however, faltered dramatically, thanks to a mesmerizing spell of leg-spin from Afghanistan’s talisman, Rashid Khan. Despite battling a hamstring injury, Rashid picked up a five-wicket haul, giving away just 19 runs in his nine overs. His spell decimated the South African middle order, restricting them to a paltry 134 runs.
Sarfaraz Khan Focuses on Fitness Training with Coach Soham Desai After Day 3
Gurbaz’s Growing Legacy
At just 22 years old, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has already established himself as one of Afghanistan’s premier batters, with his aggressive yet calculated approach to batting in the limited-overs format. His latest century, which propelled him into the company of cricketing greats like Virat Kohli, is a testament to his growth as a player.
Gurbaz has now scored seven centuries in ODI cricket, which is the most by any Afghan batter before turning 23. His ability to dominate world-class bowling attacks at such a young age has made him a crucial figure in Afghanistan’s rise on the global stage. His next goal will likely be to match the feats of South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock and India’s Sachin Tendulkar, both of whom scored eight centuries before their 23rd birthdays.
With the third ODI scheduled for Sunday, Gurbaz has the chance to further solidify his place among the world’s elite young cricketers. Should he score another hundred, he will match Tendulkar and de Kock’s record, adding yet another feather to his already impressive cap.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the match, Afghanistan’s head coach Jonathan Trott lauded Gurbaz’s performance, stating, “Rahmanullah has shown time and again that he is a special talent. To surpass someone like Babar Azam and to be on par with Virat Kohli at such a young age is an incredible achievement. His temperament and ability to read the game are exceptional.”
Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan also heaped praise on Gurbaz, highlighting the significance of his innings in Afghanistan’s historic win. “This is a proud moment for Afghanistan cricket. Gurbaz is not just breaking records; he is leading from the front and taking Afghanistan to new heights. To win a series against a team like South Africa is no small feat, and Gurbaz’s innings was central to that victory.”
Looking Ahead
Afghanistan’s emphatic series win over South Africa will undoubtedly boost their confidence ahead of the upcoming 2024 ODI World Cup, where they will be looking to make a deep run. As for Rahmanullah Gurbaz, his form with the bat could prove to be a key factor in Afghanistan’s World Cup campaign. The cricketing world will be watching closely to see whether he can continue his meteoric rise and cement his place as one of the brightest stars in the modern game.
The third and final ODI between Afghanistan and South Africa will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. All eyes will be on Gurbaz, who has the opportunity to add yet another record to his growing list of achievements.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
