AFG vs PAK: Rahmanullah Gurbaz Breaks MS Dhoni's Iconic Record Against Pakistan With Sensational 151-Run Knock

The 21-year-old Afghanistan National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has broken a massive record of the legendary India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni against Pakistan with his sensational batting show in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota on Thursday, August 24.

After their horrible batting performance in the first ODI where they were bowled out for 59, Afghanistan made a stunning comeback and posted 300/5 on the board on the back of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s exceptional batting performances.

The young wicketkeeper-batter Gurbaz scored sensational 151 runs off 151 balls, with 14 fours and 3 sixes, and built an incredible 227-run partnership with Ibrahim Zadran. This was Afghanistan’s second-highest partnership for any wicket. Also, the 300 runs total was their highest total against Pakistan.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz Breaks MS Dhoni’s Record

As Gurbaz registered 151 runs against the Men In Green, he became the first wicketkeeper-batter in the history of ODIs to hit 150 against the Men In Green. He broke legendary wicketkeeper-batter Dhoni’s previous best score of 148 against Pakistan, which he had registered way back in 2005 at Vishakhapatnam.

Not only this, Gurbaz became the first-ever Afghanistan batter to hit a century against Pakistan in ODIs. This was the young Afghanistan batter’s 5th ODI century in 23 innings and he went past Babar Azam’s 25 innings tally to become the second fastest to achieve the feat after Quinton de Kock (19) and Imam-Ul-Haq (19).

Speaking after his fantastic knock, Gurbaz said that they talked about playing a positive brand of cricket after losing the first ODI. He elaborated:

“We just hoped to play positive (after the last match’s defeat), we expected this from our batters. We wanted to bat well and post a good total. 

“I have been batting with Ibrahim Zadran since a long time. We were discussing throughout our partnership to bat with a plan. I was set but wasn’t able to hit boundaries against spinners, so I am pretty confident we can defend this total.”