Rahmanullah Gurbaz added another feather in his cap, becoming Afghanistan’s fifth-highest run-scorer across all formats. The 24-year-old opener reached the mark after a blistering knock of 84 runs from just 42 balls against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz's record
With this innings, Gurbaz went past his opening partner Ibrahim Zadran on the all-time list. Zadran, who now slips to sixth place, has scored 4,188 runs in 110 matches (118 innings) at an impressive average of 39.14. His record includes seven centuries and 27 fifties.
Gurbaz now has 4,235 runs from 141 innings at an average of 30.25. He has struck nine centuries and 20 half-centuries so far in his international career. At the top of the list remains veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who has scored 6,240 runs in 299 innings, with two hundreds and 25 fifties. Rahmat Shah sits second with 5,007 runs in 161 innings, while former wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shahzad is third with 4,844 runs. Former captain Asghar Afghan holds the fourth spot with 4,246 runs.
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Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup clash
Coming back to the Afghanistan vs South Africa nail-biter clash. Both teams finished with 187 runs, forcing a Super Over. Afghanistan managed 17 runs in the first Super Over, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Gurbaz taking on Lungi Ngidi.
Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled the Super Over for Afghanistan and did well to dismiss Dewald Brevis. However, Tristan Stubbs hit two crucial boundaries, including a six off the final ball, to push the game into a second Super Over.
In the next Super Over, Stubbs and David Miller came out to bat again. Omarzai was handed the ball this time, but South Africa dominated the over, smashing 23 runs with multiple sixes.
Chasing 24 in the final Super Over, Afghanistan sent Nabi and Omarzai to the crease. South Africa opted for spin, with Keshav Maharaj bowling. He began with a dot ball and then dismissed Nabi. Gurbaz walked in and almost turned the game around, smashing three consecutive sixes. But with six needed off the last ball, he tried to clear the boundary once more and was caught at point.