Afghanistan’s opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz delivered a stunning performance in Dharamsala on Saturday, setting a new record for the fastest ODI century by an Afghan batter. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter reached his hundred in a mere 48 balls against India during the rain-affected first ODI of their three-match series. Coming in at a precarious 26/3, Gurbaz unleashed a powerful counterattack that completely shifted the momentum of the game. With his impressive clean hitting and smart shot selection, he finished with a remarkable 102 runs off just 51 balls, featuring eight fours and eight sixes. This innings now ranks as the second-fastest ODI century ever scored against India.
Gurbaz’s remarkable performance also etched his name in Afghanistan’s cricket history. He shattered the previous national record of a 72-ball ODI century, becoming the first Afghan player to achieve a hundred in under 50 balls. This century marked his ninth in ODI cricket and played a pivotal role in helping Afghanistan bounce back from a tough start, ultimately posting 194 runs in the 25-over match. Before he was dismissed, Gurbaz formed a vital 116-run partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Gautam Gambhir’s Advice After the Test Match Played a Key Role
After the innings, Gurbaz shared that a chat with India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, right after the recent Test match, really shaped his approach.
He mentioned that he reached out for advice on refining his shot selection and got some great tips from the former India opener as he said, “After the Test match, I had a very good conversation with Gautam Gambhir sir. That discussion really helped me. I worked on those ideas in the nets, and I’m very grateful for the guidance. When the Test match ended, I told him that I wanted to improve my shot selection. He shared some positive ideas and I was able to apply them today. I just tried to play positively and it worked for me.”
The results were clear in Dharamsala. Gurbaz struck a perfect balance between aggression and control, boasting an impressive strike rate of 200 throughout his innings. Even on a pitch that favored spinners, he skillfully uncovered scoring opportunities. His strategic onslaught allowed him to hit the milestone in just 48 balls, making him the second-fastest to a century against India, just behind Shahid Afridi’s record of 45 balls set in 2005.
A Special Hundred Against India
Gurbaz called his innings one of the most significant of his career. This century not only bolstered his impressive record against top teams but also underscored his vital role in Afghanistan’s batting order.
He shared that scoring a hundred against India, right in their own backyard, felt incredibly special as he said, “It’s always nice to do something for your country and make everyone proud. I trust my training and preparation. I work hard, and this innings is the result of that hard work. I’m very grateful. Scoring a hundred against India in India is special, but as I mentioned, it’s the reward for the effort I’ve put in.”
But this knock was more than just a match performance; it carried historic significance. Gurbaz now holds the record for Afghanistan’s fastest ODI century and is only the second player ever to hit a sub-50-ball ODI hundred against India. In a match where Afghanistan faced early pressure, his innings not only made a bold statement but also marked a remarkable milestone for Afghan cricket.
