Gulbadin Naib joins Gurbaz, becomes sixth-highest run-scorer for Afghanistan in T20 WC

Gulbadin Naib shatters record book (Source: @ACBofficials/x.com)

The T20 World Cup 2026 is in full swing, and the fans across the globe are enjoying the unreal thrills of the tournament. After a sensational day one, excitement comes back on the second day as Afghanistan is facing New Zealand in the fourth match of the tournament.

Facing the Kiwis on the big stage, the Afghan batters showcased their excellence. Gulbadin Naib’s sublime half-century under pressure not only turned the game but also etched his name into the record books.

Gulbadin Naib’s heroic half-century steals the spotlight

As the T20 World Cup has returned to the cricket arena, Afghanistan faced New Zealand in their inaugural clash of the ongoing tournament. While batting first, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran eyed a dominating start, but Zadran was dismissed in 10 runs. After the setback, Gulbadin Naib walked in to join Gurbaz at the crease.

Afghanistan needed a turnaroundand Gulbadin stepped in with a brave heart. Going berserk on the Kiwi batters, he dragged the side from a slump and pushed towards a challenging total. While guiding the side, he smashed a crucial fifty in 29 balls. With a crucial knock of 63 runs in 35 balls, he helped the side to bounce back.

With that knock, not only did the Afghan side get a much-needed boost as Gulbadin Naib entered the elite club. His 63-run innings now stands as the sixth-highest score by an Afghanistan batter in T20 World Cup history.

Highest score by an Afghan batter in the T20 World Cup

Gulbadin Naib scripts the third-highest score against the Kiwis

The crucial 63-run knock proved to be much more than just a knock for the Afghan star, as it has landed him in yet another historic record. With that effort, he registered the third-highest score by an Afghanistan batter against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, marking a massive milestone on the big stage.

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz is standing in the top position of the table as he played an exceptional innings of 80 runs against the Kiwis in the T20 World Cup 2024. Najibullah Zadran is standing in the second position of the table as he smashed 73 runs against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2021.

Highest scores for Afghanistan against New Zealand

Afghanistan set sights on historic victory against New Zealand

Despite early slumps, Afghanistan made an exciting comeback. After Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed early, Gulbadin Naib anchored a vital 79-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal that flipped the momentum. Staying alive in the contest, they went on to post a challenging total of 182 runs.

While defending the total, Mujeeb Ur Rahman set the tone early on. After removing Finn Allen in just one run, he sent back Rachin Ravindra on a golden duck. Those early blows out the Kiwis on pressure as the Afghanistan side is eyeing a statement victory against them.