[Watch] Rahmanullah Gurbaz completes hundred with a boundary during AFG vs RSA 2nd ODI 2024

After a disappointing three-ball duck in the first match, Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz bounced back in style, scoring a brilliant century in the second ODI of the three-match series against South Africa on Friday, September 20. The game is being played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.

What was his seventh ODI hundred, came on the fourth ball of the 34th over. But before that, Gurbaz had faced seven consecutive dot balls on 99.

Aiden Markram bowled a flighted delivery around off stump, and Gurbaz skillfully swept it to the deep square leg boundary. The 22-year-old completed his century in 107 balls.

Here’s a video of the moment:

Gurbaz made 105 runs off 110 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and three sixes before being dismissed by Nandre Burger.

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Afghanistan on course for a decent total after Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s heroics

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the ODI. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan provided a solid start, putting together an 88-run partnership before the latter was dismissed by Aiden Markram for 29 runs off 45 balls.

Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah maintained the momentum, adding 101 runs for the second wicket at almost run a ball. Gurbaz scored an impressive 105 runs, setting up the team for a strong finish. At the time of writing, the hosts were at 216/2 after 39 overs, with Rahmat on 50 and Azmatullah Omarzai on 18.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan made history in the first match of the series by defeating South Africa for the first time in international cricket. Batting first, the Proteas were bowled out for just 106 runs in 33.3 overs, with Wiaan Mulder top-scoring with 52. Fazal Farooqi was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, taking four wickets.

In response, the hosts lost a few early wickets but successfully chased down the target, winning by six wickets with 24 overs to spare.