Afghanistan accelerated in the second half of their innings at Providence Stadium, transforming their score from 55/0 after 10 overs to a competitive 159/6 by the end.
The star performers were once again the dependable opening pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who put together a remarkable 103-run partnership at the top of the order.
Gurbaz, in particular, was sensational, striking five boundaries and five towering sixes in his 56-ball innings of 80. His final six, in particular, could be a contender for shot of the tournament, if not the year.
Due to mismanagement of his bowling options, Kane Williamson had to assign the crucial penultimate over to Daryl Mitchell. Gurbaz greeted Mitchell with a stunning heave for a 93-metre six.
However, it was in the final moments that Gurbaz truly showcased his brilliance. Mitchell’s attempted yorker missed its mark, and Gurbaz capitalized, getting low with a bent knee and lofting the ball straight over the bowler’s head with a horizontal bat.
— Jackson Hernandez (@JHernandez9286) June 8, 2024
The ball flew off the bat like a missile, clearing the stadium roof and registering a remarkable 105 metres. Gurbaz, in his characteristic flamboyance, held the pose until the cameras zoomed in, capturing the stunning moment. Twitter was abuzz with admiration for the young batter, who is rapidly rising in the ranks of global cricket.
