Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of Afghanistan’s most explosive batting talents — a fearless opening batter and wicket-keeper who plays the game at full throttle. Known for his attacking mindset and instinctive strokeplay, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has earned a reputation as a player who can change the course of a match in a few overs.

From becoming the first Afghan batter to score an ODI century on debut to representing Afghanistan across global tournaments, Gurbaz’s journey reflects both raw talent and resilience. Since making his international debut in 2019, he has remained a central figure in Afghanistan’s white-ball plans.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Early Life and Background

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, into a family that initially envisioned a very different future for him. His father, a school principal, hoped Gurbaz would pursue academics and eventually study medicine. Cricket, however, had other plans.

Growing up with limited resources, Gurbaz learned the game using improvised equipment, often relying on friends for basic gear. His passion wasn’t immediately accepted at home — at one point, his brother famously burned his cricket bat in an attempt to end his pursuit of the sport. Yet support from close friends, who believed deeply in his talent, kept him going.

A turning point came when former cricketer and coach Mohammad Khan Zadran noticed Gurbaz’s batting in a local match. Impressed by his natural timing and confidence, Zadran brought him into a structured cricket academy, laying the foundation for his professional rise. 

Cricket eventually became a family affair, with his brothers Masood Gurbaz and Khalil Gurbaz also taking up the sport.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Domestic Career

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s domestic journey began well before he became a familiar face in international cricket. He made his List A debut for Afghanistan A against Zimbabwe A in 2017, a move that quickly highlighted his attacking instincts at the top of the order. 

Later that year, he stepped into the T20 arena with Mis Ainak Knights in the Shpageeza Cricket League, where his fearless approach and natural timing stood out against senior opposition. 

His progress continued steadily, and in 2018, Gurbaz made his first-class debut for Mis Ainak Region in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament, adding red-ball experience to his growing resume.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s International Career

Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his international debut at a young age, reflecting Afghanistan’s confidence in his fearless batting approach. 

After impressing at the Under-19 level, he was fast-tracked into the senior setup as Afghanistan looked to build an aggressive top order capable of competing with established nations. 

Since making his international debut in 2019, Gurbaz has grown into a core member of Afghanistan’s white-ball teams, trusted with responsibility at the top in high-pressure matches and global tournaments.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s ODI Career

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s ODI career began in historic fashion. He made his ODI debut in January 2021 against Ireland and produced a sensational 127-run innings, becoming the first Afghan batter to score a century on ODI debut. The knock instantly placed him among Afghanistan’s most important batting prospects and marked one of the defining moments in the nation’s cricketing history. 

Following that breakthrough, Gurbaz became a consistent part of Afghanistan’s ODI setup, regularly opening the batting and tasked with providing momentum in the early overs. His aggressive instincts, combined with growing maturity, helped him adapt his game to the demands of 50-over cricket. 

The experienced batter was later selected for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he gained invaluable experience facing elite bowling attacks on the world’s biggest stage.

In ODIs, the Kabul-born represents Afghanistan’s modern batting philosophy — positive, fearless, and forward-looking — offering both impact and intent at the top of the order.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s T20I Career

Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his T20I debut in September 2019 against Zimbabwe, instantly showcasing the attacking mindset that defines his game. Opening the batting, he brought intent from the very first ball, often taking on bowlers during the powerplay and setting the tempo for Afghanistan’s innings. His ability to clear the infield early and score at a high strike rate quickly made him a preferred option at the top of the order.

Over time, Gurbaz became a regular feature in Afghanistan’s T20I plans and represented the team at the 2021, 2022 and 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cups. While his role remained aggressive, experience helped him add composure and situational awareness, allowing him to balance risk with responsibility. 

By the time he was selected for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Gurbaz had already established himself as one of Afghanistan’s most impactful T20 batters, capable of changing matches within a few overs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s IPL Career

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) began in 2022, when he was signed by the Gujarat Titans as a replacement player. Although he did not get an extended run in the playing XI, the experience of being part of a championship-winning setup proved valuable, exposing him to elite preparation standards and intense tactical planning.

Ahead of the IPL 2023 season, Gurbaz was traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a move that finally brought him onto the IPL field. He made his IPL debut against the Punjab Kings and went on to feature during a season that culminated in Kolkata lifting their third IPL title. While his individual opportunities were limited, being part of a successful campaign added maturity to his game and strengthened his understanding of team roles in franchise cricket.

Despite remaining a regular international for Afghanistan, Gurbaz was released by KKR ahead of the IPL 2026 auction and subsequently went unsold, underlining the fierce competition for overseas batting slots in the league. Even so, his IPL journey remains an important chapter in his career, reflecting both the highs of championship success and the challenges faced by aggressive top-order batters in franchise cricket.

(As of February 2026)