Veteran New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has added another feather to his illustrious cap during the ICC World T20 2021 match between the Kane Williamson-led side and Scotland at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The premier opener of the Williamson-led side handed the Black Caps a brisk start after Kyle Coetzer-led Scotland side won the toss and opted to field. 

Speed merchant Safyaan Sharif provided Scotland with an early breakthrough by removing Daryl Mitchell in the 4th over. The Scottish strike bowler also managed to cut short Williamson’s stay at the crease in the same over. Though Sharif got the Williamson-led side on the backfoot, opener Guptill remained keen on plundering runs in the opening Powerplay of the ICC World T20 match between the two sides. 

Guptill completed 24 runs while opening the innings for the Black Caps to script another T20I record. Playing his 105th T20 international for New Zealand, the veteran opener has completed 3,000 runs in the shortest format. For the record, Guptill is the only second batter to amass 3000 runs in Men’s T20Is. India skipper Virat Kohli is the first male cricketer to score 3,000 in the shortest format of the game.

Nicknamed King Kohli, the Indian run-machine had achieved the same feat while playing his 87th match for the Asian giants during the bilateral series between India and England. Kohli, who will step down from T20I captaincy after India’s campaign in the ICC World T20 has amassed 3,225 runs from 92 matches for India.

New Zealand opener Guptill has smashed over 3,000 runs in 105 matches for the Black Caps. Guptill is followed by Indian opener and vice-captain Rohit Sharma. The premier opener of the Team India side has 2,878 runs under his belt. Rohit will hope to increase his run tally in India’s crucial fixture against Afghanistan at the ICC World T20 2021 on Wednesday.