New Delhi: Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be aiming to break Virat Kohli’s massive record when he takes the field in his team’s clash against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday, June 27. Afghanistan will be eyeing history as they look to secure their maiden berth in the summit clash of a T20 World Cup.
Gurbaz, who has played a key role in Afghanistan’s journey to the final, will be hoping to continue his stellar run against the Proteas. The opening batter is currently the leading run-getter of the tournament with 281 runs from 7 matches at an excellent average of 40.14 and a strike rate of over 126, including three fifties.
Gurbaz is only 39 runs away from breaking Kohli’s all-time record for most runs in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. Kohli holds the record having amassed 319 runs in six innings in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka at a staggering average of 106.33, including four half-centuries. The Team India star has struggled for consistency in the ongoing edition and is yet to notch up a big knock.
Gurbaz is in a strong position to shatter Kohli’s record as he has been in red-hot form for Afghanistan. He began his campaign with a brilliant knock of 76 runs against Uganda at the Providence Stadium in Guyana and followed it up with an 80-run knock against New Zealand.
He played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s historic win against Australia with a 60-run knock before scoring 43 runs against Bangladesh on Tuesday which confirmed Afghanistan’s spot in the semi-finals. Afghanistan playing all their matches in the Caribbean, unlike most others, who struggled on the treacherous terrains in New York, massively aided Gurbaz as he piled on runs one game after another.
Injury scare for Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Gurbaz was struck on his knee while keeping wickets for Afghanistan during Bangladesh’s run chase and was forced to leave the field. He was replaced by substitute wicket-keeper Mohammad Ishaq, who kept wickets for the rest of the game. It remains to be seen if Gurbaz has fully recovered. In case he fails to return in time for the semi-final, it will be a huge blow for Afghanistan in the all-important semi-final against South Africa.
Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz is on the cusp of breaking Virat Kohli’s all-time record in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final against South Africa on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
