Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of Afghanistan’s brightest cricket stars. Known for his fearless hitting, sharp wicketkeeping, and energetic presence, he has quickly become a fan favorite across the world. His journey from playing in local streets to dominating international cricket and top T20 leagues is an inspiring story of talent, dedication, and self-belief.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Date of Birth | 28 November 2001 |
| Age (2025) | 23 years |
| Birthplace | Khost, Afghanistan |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-batsman |
| ODI Debut | January 2021 vs Ireland |
| T20I Debut | September 2019 vs Zimbabwe |
| Major Teams | Afghanistan, PSL, BPL, CPL, IPL franchises |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Known For | Explosive starts, fearless batting |
| Major Achievements | ODI debut century, multiple T20I fifties |
Early Life and Childhood
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was born on 28 November 2001 in Khost, Afghanistan. He grew up in a loving and supportive family that valued education and sports. From a young age, Rahmanullah loved cricket, often playing in dusty grounds with friends using makeshift bats and balls.
His passion for the game grew after watching Afghanistan’s early cricket heroes on television. He started practicing seriously, balancing schoolwork with intense training. Despite limited cricket facilities in his hometown, he worked hard to improve his batting, keeping, and fielding skills.
Gurbaz comes from a Pashtun background and is proud of his roots. His upbringing taught him discipline, respect, and resilience, which later helped him in his professional career.
Physical Appearance and Playing Style
- Height: 1.83 m (6 ft)
- Weight: Around 75 kg
- Batting Style: Right-handed
- Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman
Rahmanullah is tall, athletic, and quick on his feet. His batting style is aggressive and fearless. He loves to attack bowlers from the start, often hitting boundaries in the first over. His ability to play both spin and pace with equal ease makes him a dangerous opener.
As a wicketkeeper, he is sharp, agile, and confident. His quick glove work and smart positioning have saved his team many runs.
Domestic Career
Rahmanullah’s domestic career began at a young age when he played in Afghanistan’s domestic tournaments. His explosive batting caught the eyes of selectors, and soon he was playing for major Afghan clubs.
He made his name in Afghanistan Premier League (APL), where he scored quick runs against experienced bowlers. His performances in domestic cricket earned him opportunities in foreign leagues like:
- Pakistan Super League (PSL)
- Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)
- Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
- Indian Premier League (IPL)
In every league, Gurbaz brought excitement with his aggressive starts and match-winning knocks.
International Career
Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his T20 International debut for Afghanistan in 2019 against Zimbabwe. He scored a fifty in his first match, instantly proving he belonged on the big stage.
He later made his ODI debut in January 2021 against Ireland and scored a century — becoming the first Afghan player to hit a century on ODI debut. This record-breaking start made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers.
Key Highlights of His International Career
- First Afghan to score an ODI debut century
- Multiple T20I fifties against top cricket nations
- Part of Afghanistan’s 2023 and 2024 World Cup squads
- Match-winning knocks in pressure situations
By 2025, Gurbaz has become a permanent opening batter for Afghanistan in all white-ball formats.
Batting Strengths
- Fearless power-hitting in the powerplay overs
- Excellent six-hitting ability against both pace and spin
- Quick running between the wickets
- Strong back-foot shots, especially pull and cut
- Ability to shift gears according to match needs
Personal Life
Rahmanullah prefers to keep his personal life private. As of 2025, he is not publicly known to have a girlfriend and is focused on his cricket career. He is close to his family, often crediting them for their support and sacrifices.
Family Background
Rahmanullah comes from a humble family in Khost. His parents have supported his dream since childhood, even when cricket was not a popular career choice in his region. He has siblings, and they share a close bond. Family remains a strong source of motivation for him.
Controversy
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has largely maintained a clean image. However, like many young stars, he has faced criticism during form slumps. Some critics questioned his shot selection in key matches, but his ability to bounce back with strong performances has silenced doubts.
Achievements and Records
- First Afghan cricketer to score an ODI debut century
- Multiple half-centuries in T20I cricket before the age of 23
- Successful stints in PSL, BPL, CPL, and IPL
- Youngest Afghan to play in multiple major T20 leagues
- Known for one of the fastest fifties in Afghan cricket history
Role in Afghanistan Team (2025)
In 2025, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays as a key opener and wicketkeeper for Afghanistan. His role is to provide quick starts, build partnerships, and set the tone for big totals. His energy behind the stumps also lifts the team’s morale.
Personality and Fan Following
Rahmanullah’s fearless style and friendly nature have earned him fans not only in Afghanistan but across the cricket world. He is active on social media, sharing training sessions, match updates, and glimpses of his life. Young cricketers look up to him as an example of how hard work can turn dreams into reality.
Future Goals
Rahmanullah aims to continue improving his consistency and contribute to Afghanistan’s rise in world cricket. He has expressed interest in winning ICC trophies for his country and becoming one of the top openers in the world.
