Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored his seventh ODI century in the second match of the series between Afghanistan and South Africa, equalling Virat Kohli with the second-most hundreds in the format before turning 23.
Gurbaz reached the milestone off the 106th ball of his innings, making it his third-fastest century in the format behind both his hundreds against Bangladesh. His innings put Afghanistan well on top in the match after electing to bat first, as they reached 218-3 in the 40th over.
Early in the innings, Gurbaz was watchful, and only scored four runs off his first 15 balls before he broke the shackles against Lungi Ngidi. His first boundary saw him charge down the pitch to the South Africa quick, launching him over mid off for a six, before hitting him for four two balls later with a cover drive.
By the time he reached his half-century, he'd recovered his run rate from his slow start, bringing up 50 off the 56th ball he faced. He lost his opening partner Riaz Hasan the over after reaching his half-century, ending an 87-run stand in the 18th over of the innings. Following the loss, Gurbaz looked to lift the run rate, which had been hovering at just below five. Having been on 57 at the start of the 20th over, he moved into the 90s in the 27th, having hit sixes off Wiaan Mulder, and debutant Nqabayomzi Peter. With the South Africa bowlers looking to stem that flow of runs, it took him a further six overs to breach three figures.
His celebrations didn't last long, however, as he was bowled by Nandre Burger in the following over after reaching his hundred.
Seven ODI hundreds before turning 23
The century is Gurbaz's seventh since he made his debut in the format in 2021. It's also his first against South Africa, and second he's scored at Sharjah this year. At age 22, it puts him in an elite company of greats to score as many hundreds before turning 23.
The record is currently held jointly between Quinton de Kock and Sachin Tendulkar, who each scored eight centuries before celebrating their 23rd birthdays. However, Gurbaz now jointly holds second place on the list with Virat Kohli, who's seven hundreds aged U23 came from 69 innings compared to Gurbaz's 42. Babar Azam and Upul Tharanga had both scored six by the same point.
While Gurbaz could equal the overall record if he scores a century in the final ODI of the series against South Africa, it's unlikely he will surpass it. He will turn 23 on November 28, and Afghanistan do not have any more ODIs in their schedule before then. He is now, however, Afghanistan's overall leading century-scorer in the format, moving clear of Mohammad Shahzad who previously jointly held the record with Gurbaz on six.
Players with the most ODI centuries before turning 23
Quinton de Kock - 8
Sachin Tendulkar - 8
Virat Kohli - 7
Rahmanullah Gurbaz - 7
Babar Azam - 6
Upul Tharanga - 6
Ahmed Shehzad - 5
Shimron Hetmyer - 5
Ibrahim Zadran - 5
Paul Stirling - 5
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