NZ vs AFG: Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz-Ibrahim Zadran Tie Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma’s T20 World Cup Milestone

New Delhi: Afghanistan star opener Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz joined a premier roster of batters on Friday, June 7 after they built a 100 runs stand for their opening partnership for the second successive time in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. After adding 154 runs in their 125 run win against Uganda in the Group C opener, the opening pair added 103 runs in the clash against New Zealand in their second match  at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

With another 100 run partnership, Gurbaz and Ibrahim equalled the record for most successive  100-run partnerships held by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma of India.

Rahamanullah Gurbaz smashed 80 runs off 56 deliveries, days after he hit 76 runs against Uganda. Ibrahim Zadran scored 44 off 41 balls on Friday against New Zealand. He also smashed 70 runs against Uganda in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 opener.

On Friday, Some sloppy fielding from New Zealand also helped Rahmanullah Gurabaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The BlackCaps were not looking comfortable while playonh their first game in the tournament as they dropped catches and missed  run-out opportunities in the powerplay. Both of the Afghanistan openers were dropped once in the powerplay while wicketkeeper Devon Convoy, playing his first competitive international match after an injury layoff, missed two stumping chances in the first six overs.

Gurbaz and Zadran capitalised on the opportunity and Afghanistan reached 100 in quick time. Afghanistan openers took their time as they assessed the conditions and refrained from taking risks on a slow pitch. However, both Gurbaz and Ibrahim cut loose after drinks and changed their gears.

Most Hundred-Plus Partnerships In T20 World Cups

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
Rahamanulla Gurabaz and Ibrahim Zadran (2)- Afghanistan

Most Successive Hundre-Plus Stands

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (2) in 2014
Rahamanulla Gurabaz and Ibrahim Zadran (2) in 2024

Rahamanullah Gurbaz is the leading run getter in T20 World Cup 2024 with 156 runs in two outings as the Afghani opener has led the batting unit from the front in the tournament. Thanks to Gurbaz and Zadran’s strong stand, Afghanistan posted 159 in 20 overs on a difficult pitch in Guyana.

In the second innings, Afghanistan came out all guns firing as they had New Zealand in a spot of bother in the first 10 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi had another great outing as he clinched 3 wickets in the powerplay while Rashid Khan got Kane Williamson in his pocket as New Zealand were reeling at 40 for 4 at the end of the 7th over. Afghanistan won the match by 84 runs against New Zealand.