While Virat Kohli is yet to play a big knock as an opener in T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz is inching closer to break his record in the marquee event. Gurbaz needs 39 more runs in Afghanistan's T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal clash against South Africa on June 26 at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad.
Gurbaz is the leading run-scorer in the ongoing edition with 281 runs from seven innings at an average of 40.14 including three half-centuries. Kohli holds the record for most runs in a single edition of T20 World Cup. In 2014 on Sri Lankan soil, he scored 319 runs from six innings at an average of 106.33 including four half-centuries.
Gurbaz suffers knee injury against Bangladesh
On the last ball of Bangladesh run chase’s first over, Gurbaz was hard done by the lack of bounce. The ball hit his knee leaving him agonising pain on the ground. The physio was called but the magic spray did not make a difference. After getting medical attention, he had to leave the field.
Backup wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq donned the gloves for the rest of the game at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent and also took a catch.
What if Gurbaz doesn’t recover before semifinal clash?
If Gurbaz does not regain full fitness, Ishaq is likely to walk in as wicketkeeper-batter. Hazratullah Zazai may open alongside Ibrahim Zadran which may lead to Karim Janat warming the benches.
Gurbaz’s run in T20 World Cup 2024
Gurbaz started the tournament with a 45-ball 76 knock against minnows Uganda who made their T20 World Cup debut. In the next game, he scored 80 runs from 56 balls against New Zealand as Afghanistan created history. He had a slump and scored 22 runs from three innings. He was dismissed for a duck against West Indies and scored just 11 runs against India.
In the must-win games, he stood up to the task. Against Australia, he made the best of dropped chances and contributed with a 49-ball 60. Afghanistan won the game by 21 runs to stun Australia. In the next game against Bangladesh, Gurbaz struggled to score freely but top-scored with 43 runs from 55 balls.
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