Rahmanullah Gurbaz
In a thrilling finale in Sharjah, Afghanistan’s explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz made history on Monday by scoring his eighth ODI century, propelling Afghanistan to a 2-1 series victory against Bangladesh. Gurbaz’s knock not only clinched a five-wicket win but also saw the 22-year-old surpass Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in an elite ODI batting milestone.
Gurbaz’s Record-Breaking Chase
Chasing a target of 245, Afghanistan faced early setbacks, with Bangladesh reducing them to 81/3 by the 20th over. Despite the pressure, Gurbaz anchored the innings, smashing 101 off 120 balls, studded with seven sixes and five fours. His partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai, who contributed an unbeaten 70, proved crucial, steering Afghanistan to victory with 10 balls remaining.
This incredible century made Gurbaz the second-youngest batter in ODI history to reach eight centuries, at just 22 years and 349 days, surpassing icons like Tendulkar, Kohli, and Babar Azam on this list.
New Milestones Set by Gurbaz
With this century, Gurbaz now ties with Tendulkar and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock for the most ODI centuries before turning 23, while overtaking Kohli, who achieved seven centuries by that age. His record-breaking journey reflects Afghanistan’s rise in the ODI arena and Gurbaz’s potential to become one of the game’s next greats.
Bangladesh’s Resilient Effort Falls Short
Bangladesh, having chosen to bat first, saw openers Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar establish a steady 53-run opening stand. However, a quick Afghan comeback led by Omarzai (4-37) left them struggling at 72/4. Skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, celebrating his 100th ODI, and Mahmudullah led a fightback, sharing a crucial 145-run partnership. Mahmudullah’s 98 and Mehidy’s 66 helped Bangladesh post a respectable 244/8, yet it was not enough to hold off Afghanistan’s determined chase.
Afghanistan’s Third Consecutive Series Triumph
This win secured Afghanistan’s third straight ODI series victory, following triumphs over South Africa and Ireland. As they continue to rise in international cricket, Gurbaz’s heroics against Bangladesh symbolize Afghanistan’s growing stature and their young players’ potential to challenge cricket’s giants.
With each victory, Afghanistan’s place in world cricket strengthens, and records like these by stars such as Gurbaz suggest a bright future ahead for the team.
