T20 cricket is a funny game. A match can turn upside down in a matter of a few balls. The fast-paced feature of the game makes it very addictive and exciting. Viewers always love to see the batters smashing bowlers all around the park. The constant battle between a bowler and a batter to outwit each other is a treat to watch. You blink your eyes, and you see 15 runs added to the score. The big knocks played by the batters take them to the history books. Here are the Top 10 Highest T20I Knocks played by Afghanistan Players-
1. Hazratullah Zazai (162* Versus Ireland)
In the 2nd T20I against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019, Afghanistan rightly chose to bat first. What was to come would’ve been heart-breaking for you if you are an Irish fan. Hazratullah Zazai spanked every bowler as he raced to his 62-ball-162* (11x4, 16x6). His opening partner Usman Ghani anchored the innings with his 48-ball-73. Mohammad Nabi and Shafiqullah capped off the destruction with their cameos, as Afghanistan posted 278/3, the highest T20I score to date. Ireland eventually lost the match by 84 runs. Zazai was adjudged the Man of the Match.
2. Mohammad Shahzad (118* Versus Zimbabwe)
Mohammad Shahzad was at his smashing best against Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20 at Sharjah in 2016. Shahzad made Zimbabwe regret their decision to field first. Shahzad single-handedly carried out the onslaught with his 67-ball-118* (10x4, 8x6). Cameos by other batters, in the end, took Afghanistan to 215/6. In reply, Zimbabwe was bowled out on 134. Quite aptly, Shahzad was chosen as the Man of the Match for his century and two stumpings in the second innings.
3. Najeeb Tarakai (90 Versus Ireland)
Elegance was oozing out of Najeeb Tarakai’s game when Afghanistan hosted Ireland in Greater Noida in the 2nd T20I in 2017. After being reduced to 12/2 in 2.3 overs, Najeeb took the job in his hands and smashed a 58-ball-90 (7x4, 5x6). This powered Afghanistan to 184/8. Mohammad Nabi, too, played a 15-ball-34 knock to give the final touches. In the 2nd innings, it was all Rashid Khan’s show, as he recorded the astounding figures of 5/3 in just two overs. But for setting up the platform, Najeeb was declared the Man of the Match.
4. Mohammad Nabi (89 Versus Ireland)
The name of Mohammad Nabi was written all over the scorecard in the 3rd T20I between Afghanistan and Ireland in Greater Noida in 2017. In the first innings, Mohammad Shahzad’s 72 was followed by Nabi’s 30-ball-89, laced with six fours and nine sixes. Afghanistan piled up 233/8. But Nabi wasn’t done. In the second innings, Nabi accounted for George Dockrell and took three catches to be named the Man of the Match.
5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (87 Versus Zimbabwe)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was at his hitting best in the 1st T20I against Zimbabwe in 2021 at Abu Dhabi. Zimbabwe won the toss and invited the Afghans to bat first. Gurbaz and Karim Janat provided a strong start of 80 in 8 overs. After Janat fell to Ngarava, Gurbaz raced to his 87 before getting out. His knock helped Afghanistan to post 198/5. In reply, Zimbabwe could manage only 150/7, as Afghanistan won the match by 48 runs.
6. Mohammad Nabi (84* Versus Bangladesh)
It takes courage to go after the bowling while the batters at the other end are getting out quickly. In the 3rd T20I of the Bangladesh Tri-Series 2019 at Dhaka, Afghanistan was reeling at 40/4 in 6 overs. Senior batters Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi joined hands to take their team to 164/6. Nabi hit a whirlwind 54-ball-84 with the help of 3 fours and seven sixes. In the 2nd innings, Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up 4 for 15 to choke Bangladesh on 139.
7. Hazratullah Zazai (82 Versus Ireland)
Hazratullah Zazai scored one of his best innings in the 2nd T20I against Ireland at Bready. Losing his opening partner early, Zazai undertook the task of smashing the bowlers as he scored a quickfire 54-ball-82. He was ably supported by Asghar Afghan (37), Mohammad Nabi (12), and Najibullah Zadran (20). Afghanistan scored a decent 160/8. Rashid Khan then took 4 for 17 to wrap up Ireland on 79, as Afghanistan registered an 81-run win.
8. Mohammad Nabi (81 Versus Ireland)
Mohammad Nabi indeed has some liking towards the Irish bowlers. His batting prowess was again on full display when Afghanistan met Ireland at Dehradun in 2019. Nabi scored a pyrotechnical 81 runs in 36 balls (6x4, 7x6) and amplified the small knocks by other batters to help Afghanistan post 210/7. In the 2nd innings, Rashid Khan became the first bowler to take a double-hattrick in a T20I as he registered 5/27 in 4 overs.
9. Mohammad Shahzad (80 Versus Oman)
In the 1st Semi-Final of the Desert T20 Challenge 2017, Oman posted a modest 149/8 in the first innings. Everybody knew that it would never be enough against the power-packed Afghanistan. As expected, Afghan openers Mohammad Shahzad and Nawroz Mangal shared an opening stand of 91 in just 11.5 overs. Asghar Afghan then completed the formalities as Afghanistan won by eight wickets. Shahzad smashed 80 runs in 60 balls with the help of eight boundaries and three maximums.
10. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (79 Versus West Indies)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz held on to the one end against West Indies at Lucknow in 2019. Gurbaz smashed a match-winning 79 against the defending World T20 Champions West Indies. His 52-ball knock helped Afghanistan post 156/8. In reply, West Indies could manage only 127/7 to hand their opponents a 29-run victory and the series.
