- Saturday, April 27, 2024
Senior Indian politician Shashi Tharoor praised the cricketer’s kind gesture as “far greater than any century he might score”.
By: Shubham Ghosh
WHILE cricketers who took part in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India have made the headlines for various reasons on and off the ground, none might have matched the reason for which Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz was earning endless appreciation on social media.
The 21-year-old opening batter, who also does wicket-keeping, was recently spotted extending a helping hand to the needy people on streets in Ahmedabad in the Indian state of Gujarat where Afghanistan played their final game of the tournament — against South Africa — on Friday (10).
A video of the cricketer’s philanthropy at wee hours became viral on social media and was also shared by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the team for which he plays in the Indian Premier League. In the video, he is seen giving money to people who were sleeping on the side of the road. The KKR said in Hindi, “Afghanistan se aya ek farishta” (an angel has come from Afghanistan).
अफगानिस्तान से आया एक फरिश्ता 🥹
RJ Love Shah spotted @RGurbaz_21 near his home in Ahmedabad, quietly spreading some love ahead of Diwali, hours before the Afghanistan team returned home after their heartwarming World Cup journey ended on Friday night.
🎥: RJ Love Shah |… pic.twitter.com/TOeUBKwXwh
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 12, 2023
From working tirelessly to raise money for the victims of the Herat Earthquake in Afghanistan earlier this month, to this act of kindness in a foreign land – you inspire us all. God bless you, jaani 💜
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 12, 2023
“From working tirelessly to raise money for the victims of the Herat Earthquake in Afghanistan earlier this month, to this act of kindness in a foreign land – you inspire us all. God bless you, jaani,” KKR wrote while sharing the video.
Senior Indian politician Shashi Tharoor praised the cricketer’s kind gesture as “far greater than any century he might score” on X.
Just amazing act of kindness by Afghan batsman Rahmatullah Gurbaz to pavement dwellers in Ahmedabad after his last match. Far greater than any century he might score — and may he score many! Long may his career thrive, along with his heart…. pic.twitter.com/hgeBubHNzv
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 12, 2023
Gurbaz has played 35 one-day internationals and 43 T20s for Afghanistan, scoring more than 2,000 runs with five international hundreds. He scored two fifties in this World Cup — against England and Pakistan — and his side won on both occasions.
Afghanistan is one of the most politically and economically perturbed countries on earth where the Taliban stormed back to power in August 2021, soon after the western forces left it after an occupation that lasted more than two decades.
The South Asian nation, which played only in their third World Cup this year, came out with the most impressive show with four wins and nearly pulled off one against five-time champions Australia before a miraculous knock by Glenn Maxwell denied them a win that could earn them a semi-final berth.
Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trot rued the country’s missed chances but took pride in the way they won matches in the tournament. Besides England and Pakistan, Afghanistan have beaten another World Cup-winning team, Sri Lanka.
They ended their campaign with a five-wicket loss against the Proteas and Trott said in a post-match press conference, “If you’d said we won four games you probably would have taken it – especially after losing the first game against Bangladesh.”
Afghanistan have qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025 by finishing among the top eight of the 10 nations that played in the 2023 World Cup.
