Role:
Batting Style: Right Handed Bat
Bowling Style: Right-arm medium
Country: Afghanistan
Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
Player profile for Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is an Afghan cricketer known for his explosive batting in limited-overs formats. A talented wicketkeeper-batsman, he has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in international cricket. Here’s a detailed look at his life and career:
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Date of Birth: November 28, 2001
- Place of Birth: Khost, Afghanistan
- Nationality: Afghan
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- Batting Style: Right-handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm medium (occasionally)
- Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman
Early Life and Background:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz was born in Khost, Afghanistan. He developed an interest in cricket at a young age and played for local teams during his early years.
- Gurbaz’s talent was evident from his early performances, especially in Afghanistan’s domestic cricket competitions and age-group tournaments.
- He was part of the Afghan Under-19 team, where his aggressive batting style attracted attention and set the stage for his future in national cricket.
Domestic Career:
- Domestic Team: Rahmanullah Gurbaz has represented Kabul Eagles in Afghanistan’s domestic T20 leagues.
- He also played in the Shpageeza Cricket League, Afghanistan’s top T20 competition, where his performances further highlighted his potential.
International Career:
ODI Debut:
- Date: February 21, 2021
- Opponent: Ireland
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his ODI debut for Afghanistan during their series against Ireland. He quickly made a mark with his aggressive batting and ability to take on both fast and spin bowling.
T20I Debut:
- Date: May 24, 2019
- Opponent: Ireland
- Gurbaz made his T20I debut against Ireland, where he showcased his flair for T20 cricket with his aggressive stroke play. His performances in T20 cricket soon earned him a place in Afghanistan’s squad for various international tournaments.
Key Achievements:
- 2019 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup: Gurbaz was part of Afghanistan’s U-19 squad, where his batting performances stood out. He played a significant role in the tournament, helping Afghanistan’s U-19 team compete at a high level.
- 2021 T20 World Cup: Rahmanullah Gurbaz was selected for Afghanistan’s squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He impressed with his batting ability, scoring quick runs at the top of the order.
- Aggressive Batting: Known for his aggressive stroke play, Gurbaz has consistently impressed with his ability to hit big sixes and play a wide range of shots, especially in limited-overs formats.
IPL (Indian Premier League):
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz was part of the 2023 IPL season, where he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for injured players. Though he didn’t get many opportunities to play initially, his inclusion in the IPL squad shows his rising stature in international cricket.
Key Strengths:
- Explosive Batting: Gurbaz is known for his aggressive batting, particularly in T20 cricket. He plays a lot of attacking shots and is not afraid to take on quality bowlers.
- Wicketkeeping Skills: As a wicketkeeper, he is competent behind the stumps and can provide his team with essential breakthroughs and safe hands.
- Consistency in T20s: Gurbaz’s ability to perform consistently in T20 leagues has cemented his reputation as a key figure in Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
Statistics:
ODIs:
- Matches Played: 10+
- Runs Scored: 400+ runs
- Batting Average: 40+
- Hundreds: 1
- Strike Rate: 85+ (in ODIs)
T20Is:
- Matches Played: 20+
- Runs Scored: 600+ runs
- Batting Average: 35+
- Strike Rate: 135+ (in T20Is)
IPL (As of 2025):
- Matches Played: 5+ matches
- Runs Scored: 100+ runs
- Strike Rate: 130+
- Best Batting Score: 50+ (not out)
List A and T20 Domestic Statistics:
- Gurbaz has a solid record in Afghanistan’s domestic T20 and List A matches, often scoring at a brisk pace and providing stability to the middle order.
Personal Life:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz comes from a cricket-loving family and has supported Afghanistan’s national team from a young age.
- He is known to be a humble and hardworking cricketer, continuously working on his game to evolve as one of Afghanistan’s premier talents.
Awards & Recognition:
- Afghanistan’s Young Talent: Gurbaz is regarded as one of the most promising young talents to emerge from Afghanistan in recent years.
- Shpageeza Cricket League: His performances in Afghanistan’s domestic T20 leagues have earned him recognition as a top prospect for international cricket.
Future Prospects:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of the brightest young cricketers in Afghanistan’s team, and his explosive batting makes him a key player in limited-overs formats.
- Given his performances in domestic T20 leagues and international cricket, he is expected to continue growing and play an essential role for Afghanistan in upcoming ICC events.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggressive batting style and promising talent make him one of the exciting prospects in world cricket, and his performances will likely continue to make headlines for Afghanistan in international cricket.