Highest individual score for Afghanistan in ODIs
Afghanistan has taken giant strides in international cricket in a very short span of time. They have pushed more experienced sides like India and Pakistan in recent years and also defeated the likes of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The quality of players they have been producing is commendable. The likes of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and many others have made a mark while they were quite young and the tradition is being followed by the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. In this article, we will take a look at the highest individual scores for Afghanistan in ODIs.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 145 versus Bangladesh, 2023
The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter has been touted as one of the better players among the younger generation. He scored his fourth ODI century on July 8, 2023, in Chattogram against Bangladesh. He put on a mammoth 256-run partnership alongside Ibrahim Zadran as Afghanistan posted 331/9 in the second T20I against the home side. Gurbaz amassed 145 runs off just 125 balls with the help of 13 fours and eight sixes. Afghanistan won the match by 142 runs and bagged the series.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 151 versus Pakistan, 2023
Afghanistan were bowled out for just 59 in the first ODI of a three-match series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka in August 2023. In the second ODI on August 24 in Hambantota, fans didn’t give Afghanistan too much of a chance against a formidable Pakistani pace attack. However, the partnership of Gurbaz and Zadran once again showed their class as they took their team total to 227 before the latter departed. The 21-year-old Gurbaz went on to score 151 off as many balls with the help of 14 fours and three sixes. Pakistan eventually chased down a 301-run target, winning by one wicket with a ball left. They won the series but Gurbaz received plaudits for his sensational knock
Ibrahim Zadran – 162 versus Sri Lanka, 2022
The right-handed batter scored a phenomenal knock of 162 off just 138 balls against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on November 30. This was his third ODI century. Zadran’s marathon knock was studded with 15 fours and four sixes. He helped his side post a challenging target of 314 for the home side. Charith Asalanka, however, played a fine knock as Sri Lanka won by four wickets with two balls to spare. However, Zadran’s knock went into the history books and still remains the highest individual score for an Afghan batter in ODI cricket. With the win, Sri Lanka managed to end the series on level terms after the second game was washed out.
