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Afghanistan cricket team completed a 2-1 series win over Bangladesh with a five wicket win in the third and final ODI match at Sharjah on Monday. Published: November 12, 2024 8:51 AM IST By Edited by Afghanistan completed a second successive ODI series win, defeating Bangladesh by five wickets in the third and final game in Sharjah on Monday to complete a 2-1 triumph. The architect of the Afghan victory was 22-year-old wicketkeeper and opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who notched up his 8th ODI century off 117 balls with 7 sixes and 5 fours.
With his eight one-day ton, the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) zoomed past former India captain Virat Kohli for the record of most ODI centuries before the age of 23. Kohli had 7 centuries in ODI cricket before he turned 23 while Babar Azam and Upul Tharanga had six each. Gurbaz equaled the record of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who also had 8 ODI tons before turning 23 along with former South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
The Afghan opener will not get a chance to break Tendulkar and De Kock’s record as this was his final ODI match before his 23rd birthday which is on November 28. WATCH Rahmanullah Gurbaz complete his 8th ODI century HERE..
. 8th ODI Hundred for , his 3rd against and his 3rd in Sharjah! 💯💯 Terrific knock, Gurbaza! 🔥 | | — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) He also became the third quickest batter to complete 8 centuries in ODI cricket, having achieved this feat in 46 matches. Former South Africa batter Hashim Amla holds the record with 8 centuries in 43 ODIs with Pakistan’s Babar Azam in second spot with 8 tons in 44 matches.
Once Gurbaz was dismissed Afghanistan opener Azmatullah Omarzai completed the formality by remaining unbeaten on 70 off 77 balls with 5 sixes and 3 fours to complete the ODI series win. Omarzai brought up the win with a six off Shoriful Islam. “It was tough for me coming back from the two bad games, but I was positive hitting the ball where I wanted to.
Gurbaz was there, so I was confident, if I miss a few balls, I don’t care as Gurbaz can cover. Whenever I get loose balls I go after it. Wicket was slow, the ball was sticking, so I used more variations, I was speaking to Rashid and he told me to mix it up and that was the plan,” Omarzai said after the win.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi called Gurbaz a match-winner for the side. “He (Rahmanullah Gurbaz) is the match-winner, whenever he scored runs, he did a lot for our team, he is very talented and hope he takes that momentum to the future and to the Champions Trophy. The way we are playing right now is very good, if you see everyone is performing and different guys are performing.
We will try and make our team even stronger, we have Zimbabwe next, we will try to win that series and take that momentum to the Champions Trophy,” Shahidi said at the post-match presentation. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on .
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