Big warning! Rahmanullah Gurbaz threatens to hit Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj ahead of IND vs AFG clash

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s explosive opener and wicketkeeper, is unfazed by India’s formidable pace attack, as he fired a warning shot to the Asian cricketing giants ahead of their Super-8 clash of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados on Thursday, June 20.

Gurbaz has experienced a mixed T20 World Cup 2024 campaign so far. The Afghanistan opener has delivered match-winning performances when settled, playing remarkable innings of 76 against Uganda and 80 against New Zealand during the group stage.

However, the right-handed batter’s form dipped in the last two group matches, registering scores of 11 and a duck against Papua New Guinea and the West Indies, respectively. Despite his ups and downs in the first round of the tournament, Gurbaz remains a crucial asset for the Afghanistan cricket team at the top of the order.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz unfazed by India's pace attack ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 Super-8 clash

As the T20 World Cup 2024 progresses to the Super-8 stage, the 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will have extra responsibility to help Afghanistan further progress in the tournament after they made it to the second round of a World Cup for the first time.

Gurbaz’s first challenge is India, which will test his ability to rise to the occasion and deliver under pressure. Ahead of Afghanistan's Super-9 clash against India, Gurbaz sounded confident about facing the formidable Indian bowlers in Barbados, as it was not the first time he would be facing them.

He has enough experience playing them both at the highest level and in the IPL. The explosive opener made it clear that he will hit every Indian pacer, whether it is Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammed Siraj if the deliveries are in his areas during the IND vs AFG Super-8 match on Thursday.

Challenging all five Indian bowlers likely to feature in India’s XI, Gurbaz said that he is well aware of the risks, but he is ready to either capitalize on the opportunity or face the consequences, and with this mindset, he is going into the crucial encounter of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

My target is not just Jasprit Bumrah: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz told ICC: “Honestly, my target is not just Jasprit Bumrah. I will look to target all (Indian) bowlers there are five bowlers who generally bowl and I have to tackle them. It's just a battle against Bumrah. Maybe another bowler could get me out. But yes, If I get a chance to hit him (Bumrah), let's go for it. It could be Bumrah, Arshdeep or Siraj. If anyone bowls in my area, then I'll hit them. Either I'll hit them or I will get out.”

Gurbaz added, “We've played in the World Cups before, but there's a huge difference (this time). Previously, our mindset was just to participate in the World Cup. But now our mindset is that we should go and be the champions. There's no pressure on us to be champions. We don't have those expectations. But we're taking it one game at a time. Our focussed on that and hope we achieve our goals and qualify for the semi-final first and then to the final.”

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