Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi and Ibrahim Zadran [Source: AP and AFP]India is set to play Afghanistan for a three-match T20I series from September 13, and the Men in Blue will be ready to take down their Northern neighbours in the white-ball series. However, there are certain players from the Afghan camp who have been seasoned veterans for the team, especially against India. Before the series kicks off, let's take a look at which batters for Afghanistan have proved to be the most run-scoring against India in the shortest format.5. Najibullah Zadran- 82 runsNajibullah Zadran's record against India is impressive. Across seven T20Is, he has played seven innings and scored 82 runs at an average of 13.66.His best innings against India came in the opening T20I of Afghanistan's 2024 tour of India at Mohali on January 11. Afghanistan were struggling to build momentum after losing several wickets, but Mohammad Nabi's 42 gave them a platform. Najibullah then provided the finishing push, remaining unbeaten on 19 from just 11 deliveries. Four boundaries helped him strike at 172.72, allowing Afghanistan to reach 158/5 from their 20 overs.India ultimately chased down the target with 15 balls remaining, but Najibullah's late cameo demonstrated precisely why he remained a dangerous presence in Afghanistan's middle and lower order. 4. Rahmanullah Gurbaz- 117 runsAcross six matches and six innings, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who is part of the current squad against India, has scored 117 runs at an average of 19.50. His strike rate stands at 132.95, while he has registered one half-century. He has also cleared the boundary nine times for six and found the ropes on eight occasions. His standout innings came during Afghanistan's dramatic encounter with India in Bengaluru on January 17, 2024. India had posted 212/4, leaving Afghanistan with a demanding chase from the outset. Gurbaz refused to let the target dictate the tempo.He scored 50 from 32 deliveries, striking at 156.25. His innings contained three fours and four sixes, giving Afghanistan the explosive beginning they needed. Alongside Ibrahim Zadran, he added 93 runs for the opening wicket before being dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav.Also Read- Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Who Scored 8 Off 7, Attacks Teammate Mohammad Nabi For Scoring 90 Off 523. Ibrahim Zadran- 155 runsIf most of Afghanistan's memorable batting performances against India have been about acceleration, Ibrahim Zadran's best effort was almost the exact opposite.Zadran has played five T20Is against India between 2022 and 2024, batting in all five. He has accumulated 155 runs at an impressive average of 38.75 and a strike rate of 108.39 including two half-centuries, 12 fours and four sixes.His finest performance came on September 8, 2022, during the Asia Cup Super Four clash in Dubai. India had produced a gigantic 212/2, with Virat Kohli smashing an unbeaten 122 from 61 balls.Afghanistan's chase, however, collapsed almost immediately. They were reduced to 9/4 inside the third over, leaving Zadran stranded in the middle while wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Rather than joining the rush, he dug in and produced a remarkably composed unbeaten 64 from 59 deliveries.Four fours and two sixes helped him reach his fifty and eventually finish on 64*. Yet, the innings could not rescue Afghanistan, who were bowled out for 111/8 and lost by 101 runs.2. Mohammad Nabi- 177 runsMohammad Nabi has faced India more often than anyone else on this list, appearing in eight T20Is and batting in all eight. He has scored 177 runs at an average of 22.12, with a strike rate of 132.08. He has hit 10 fours and 10 sixes, with a highest score of 42.His most memorable performance came in the same dramatic Bengaluru thriller on January 17, 2024. Afghanistan were chasing 213 and had already seen their opening partnership and captain depart. Nabi arrived with the innings needing acceleration and delivered exactly that.He smashed 34 from only 16 balls, striking at 212.50. His two fours and three sixes helped Afghanistan maintain the extraordinary scoring rate required to stay alive in the chase.Nabi eventually fell in the 17th over, but Afghanistan were already within touching distance of India by then. The chase ended level at 212, eventually producing one of the wildest finishes in the India-Afghanistan T20I rivalry.1. Gulbadin Naib- 179 runsGulbadin Naib owns the best batting average among the five Afghanistan players on this list against India. Across seven T20I matches, he has batted six times and accumulated 179 runs at an impressive average of 44.75. His strike rate of 130.65 further underlines his ability to score quickly without sacrificing his time at the crease.Two half-centuries feature in his record, with a highest score of 57. He has also struck 14 fours and 11 sixes against India.His most spectacular performance came on January 17, 2024, in the third T20I at Bengaluru. Chasing India's mammoth 212/4, Afghanistan appeared to be heading towards defeat before Naib completely changed the mood of the contest.Coming in after the dismissals of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Naib smashed an unbeaten 55 off just 23 balls. Four boundaries and four sixes powered him to a staggering strike rate of 239.13. His assault helped Afghanistan reach 212/6 and force the match into a tie.Although India eventually won the second Super Over, Naib's extraordinary late hitting remains one of Afghanistan's most remarkable batting efforts against India.Also Read- After Nightclub Controversy, Brydon Carse Ends 5-Year Wait To Achieve Special Feat
