Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran Equal Kohli-Rohit Massive T20 World Cup Record
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put a 103-run opening stand against New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2024 encounter.
Afghanistan’s opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have etched their names in the history books of the T20 World Cup. Their brilliant form continued on Friday as they became only the second pair of batters to score consecutive century partnerships in the tournament.
The duo’s 103-run stand against New Zealand in Guyana followed their 154-run partnership in the tournament opener against Uganda. This feat matches the record set by the legendary Indian opening pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in 2014.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the current leading run-scorer in the tournament with 156 runs, top-scored again with a blistering 80 runs off just 56 balls. Ibrahim Zadran provided valuable support with a composed 44 off 41 deliveries.
Gurbaz and Ibrahim capitalized on the dropped catches and misfileds, reaching a quickfire 100-run stand. After a watchful start on a slow pitch, they shifted gears after the drinks break, putting the New Zealand bowling attack under pressure.
This achievement places Gurbaz and Ibrahim alongside some of the most prolific partnerships in T20 World Cup history. Here’s a look at the teams with the most century partnerships and successive century stands:
- Most Hundred-Plus Partnerships:
- Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (3) – Pakistan
- Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden (2) – Australia
- Alex Hales, Eoin Morgan (2) – England
- Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (2) – Sri Lanka
- Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (2) – India
- David Warner, Shane Watson (2) – Australia
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran (2) – Afghanistan
- Most Successive Hundred-Plus Partnerships:
- Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (2) in 2014
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz-Ibrahim Zadran (2) in 2024
Dominant Afghanistan Crush New Zealand:
Riding on the strong opening partnership, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 159 runs on a challenging Guyana pitch. Their bowling attack then ripped through the New Zealand batting lineup. Fazalhaq Farooqi, who had already picked up a five-wicket haul against Uganda, took three wickets in the powerplay against New Zealand.
Rashid Khan delivered another crucial blow, dismissing the dangerous Kane Williamson. New Zealand were eventually bundled out for a mere 75 runs, handing Afghanistan a dominant 84-run victory. Both Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up four wickets each.