'Cometh the hour, Cometh the Man' - Twitter erupts as Rahmanullah Gurbaz notches up highest individual score by Afghan player in IPL

Gurbaz smacked 81 runs off 39 deliveries.

Published - 29 Apr 2023, 18:05 IST | Updated - 29 Apr 2023, 18:05 IST

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On his return to Kolkata Knight Riders' playing XI, young Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz wreaked havoc and scored his second half-century in IPL 2023. His fifty also saw him notch up the highest individual score by an Afghan batter in the history of the IPL.

With wickets falling from one end, the 21-year-old played his natural game, scoring a cracking half-century in just 27 deliveries. With that, he gave Kolkata Knight Riders a perfect start as the home side was 61/2 after the powerplay.

Gurbaz smacked four boundaries and four sixes in the process and set the tone of the match for the two-time champions. Notably, with Jason Roy currently not available due to a back injury, Gurbaz made his return and created an immediate impact.

However, there was very little support from the other hand. Narayan Jagadeesan got out after scoring 19 off 15 deliveries while the experiment to promote Shardul Thakur up the order massively backfired. The all-rounder got out without opening his account after four deliveries.

Batting at number four, Venkatesh Iyer too flopped with the bat as the all-rounder managed to score only 11 runs off 14 deliveries. Batting at number five, skipper Nitish Rana scored only four runs off three deliveries as KKR was in deep trouble at the halfway mark of their innings.

Gurbaz however kept going and ended up scoring 81 runs off just 39 deliveries. Overall, he smashed seven sixes and five fours and gave KKR much-needed support with the bat. Notably, young Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad picked up his wicket as Andre Russell walked into the middle to take guard. On his 35th birthday, the West Indies international played really well and showed a lot of intent and ended up scoring 34 runs off 19 deliveries as KKR posted 179 runs after 20 overs.

Meanwhile, with the ball, Mohammed Shami was brilliant as the ace pacer picked up three wickets. Joshua Little was splendid as well as he along with Noor Ahmed picked up two wickets each.