Rahmanullah Gurbaz has swiftly emerged as one of Afghanistan’s most vital assets in limited-overs cricket. Seen as the natural successor to Mohammad Shahzad, Gurbaz made an immediate impact when he stepped into the international spotlight in 2019. A hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batter, his fearless strokeplay at the top of the order made him a perfect fit for Afghanistan’s evolving T20 strategy. Though initially pegged as a T20 specialist, Gurbaz always aspired to be more — an all-format player capable of adapting to any situation. His dream began to materialize when, in 2021, he became the first Afghan batter to score a century on ODI debut — a milestone that announced his arrival in style. Batting alongside his long-time teammate Ibrahim Zadran, Gurbaz has brought much-needed stability to Afghanistan’s top-order. While he was initially known for his aggressive, boundary-laden approach, the youngster has since matured. He has learned to adapt, showing patience during difficult spells, especially against the new ball, and improving his rotation of strike and running between the wickets. Between 2022 and 2023, Gurbaz raised four ODI centuries and made major contributions in key matches. His performances during the 2023 ODI World Cup were instrumental — including match-winning knocks against heavyweights England and Pakistan. He also registered his maiden T20I century that same year, further cementing his status as a versatile top-order batter. Gurbaz's brilliance shone brightest during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in taking Afghanistan to their first-ever semifinal in a major ICC event. He finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer — a remarkable achievement on the global stage. Currently, Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds the record for the most ODI centuries by an Afghanistan player, underlining his growing stature in the international game. With success across global T20 leagues and an ever-expanding skillset, Gurbaz has become an invaluable asset — not just for Afghanistan, but for any team he represents.
