Afghanistan registered another emphatic victory over South Africa on Friday, beating them by 177 runs in the second one-day international to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Sharjah.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a record-setting century as Afghanistan reached 311-4 off their 50 overs and then Rashid Khan, celebrating his 26th birthday, took five wickets to skittle out South Africa for 134.

The win sealed the series for Afghanistan, who had registered a first ever triumph over South Africa when they won the opening ODI on Wednesday by six wickets.

Afghanistan were always on top in Friday’s contest after winning the toss and electing to bat, putting the South African attack to the sword from the start as the flat track offered little for the bowlers to work with.

Gurbaz became Afghanistan's most prolific ODI centurion, with seven to his name, as he scored 105 off 110 balls while an unbeaten 86 from Azmatullah Omarzai ensured they posted an imposing target.

Opener Gurbaz kept the scoreboard consistently ticking over, taking 56 balls to reach his half century, before spending a couple of overs nervously approaching his ton, finally sweeping behind square leg to go to three figures.

Omarazi’s runs came off 50 balls and included six sixes at the end of the innings as South Africa’s bowlers wilted in the heat and were hit to all corners.

There was also 50 for Rahmat Shah before he was stumped off the bowling of debutant spinner Nqabayomzi Peter.

South Africa made a positive start to their reply as captain Temba Bavuma, back after illness kept him out of the first game, and Tony de Zorzi put on 73 for the first wicket.

But after Bavuma skyed a bouncer and was caught by Mohammad Nabi off Omarazi, wickets tumbled in quick succession.

Khan, who had struggled with a hamstring injury while batting, was destroyer-in-chief with 5-19 in nine overs while left arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote cleaned up the tail with 4-26.

The last match of the series is also in Sharjah on Sunday.

(Reuters)

Cricket South Africa has confirmed it will continue to engage Afghanistan in bilateral fixtures because it does not believe in punishing the men's team for the Islamic Emirate's actions in their home country.

CSA's statement comes in response to criticism including from activist organisation Lawyers for Human Rights, which called for CSA to boycott Afghanistan due to the Islamic Emirate’s policies on women and girls.

In a statement issued on Thursday, CSA confirmed that although it believes "women's cricket deserves equal recognition and success," it would not unilaterally isolate the Afghanistan men's team for its country's government policy.

"CSA remains mindful that gender equity should never come at the expense of one gender over another," the statement said. "We recognise that advocating for the advancement of one gender should not undermine the rights of the other. CSA believes there is no justification for subjecting Afghan cricket players - both male and female - to secondary persecution for the actions of the Taliban (IEA). We will continue to engage with member countries within the formal structures of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to address this matter."

Cricket Australia, on the other hand, has taken the opposite position and on advice from its government has refused to play Afghanistan bilaterally in protest against the Islamic Emirate’s policies on women and girls.

South Africa and Afghanistan are currently playing a three-match ODI series in the UAE.

Afghanistan won the first ODI by six wickets to register their first ever victory in cricket against South Africa.

The second ODI will be on Friday.

Iran sealed their spot in the knockout phase of the FIFA Futsal World Cup on Thursday after defeating Guatemala 9-4.

Their group stage match was held at Bukhara Universal Sports Complex in Uzbekistan.

Morocco also went through to Round of 16 after edging out Panama 6-3 in their group stage match Thursday in Uzbekistan.

The Group E clash showcased Morocco’s offensive prowess and tactical discipline, solidifying their position as serious contenders in the tournament.

This victory puts Morocco at the top of Group E with six points, followed by Portugal in second place.

Portugal also secured their sport in the knockout round after defeating Tajikistan 3-2 in their group stage match.

Jorge Braz’s charges controlled the first 20 minutes, but Tajikistan, roared on by considerable support in Tashkent, threatened a comeback in the second half.

France in turn soared into the last 16 with a hard-fought win over Venezuela in Bukhara.

Kevin Ramirez gave France a 3-2 first-period lead, and while his namesake Briceno levelled matters just after the restart, Mamadou Toure and Nelson Lutin restored French power. Ramirez then, with the flying goalkeeper far away from home, lifted in a sixth, before Sid Belhaj rounded out the scoring.