Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad scored his fifth ODI century against India during their Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2018 on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman raced to his hundred off 88 balls at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
With India already in the final and Afghanistan out of contention, Shahzad’s knock spiced up the inconsequential match. So dominant was Shahzad that fellow opener Javed Ahmadi was only five in a stand of 65, before India struck four times within the space of 17 runs.
Left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja (3/46) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/38) derailed Afghanistan innings but Shahzad held one end, adding 50 for the fifth wicket with Gulbadin Naib who made 15 and another 48 for the sixth with Mohammad Nabi.
Nabi made a fiery 56-ball 64 with four sixes and three boundaries.
Shahzad was finally out in the 38th over but by then had given a good platform to his team.
Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif among others lauded Shahzad’s century, while some people mentioned how skills are more important than size.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Brilliant 100 from Mohammad Shahzad. Seems to be batting on a different wicket.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 25, 2018
One man army literally today- Mohammad Shahzad , what an innings
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 25, 2018
What a brilliant innings this has been from @MShahzad077. Absolute fearless cricket against one of the better ODI teams in the world. A big congratulations to you on your amazing century. #INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/jnT7o7upIl
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) September 25, 2018
It’s been amazing to see @mshahzad077 bat. Feels like he is batting on a different pitch compared to the other batsmen. I don’t think I have seen any batsman score as heavily for a team as he has today. Scoring almost 75% of the runs is unheard of. Take a bow son. 🙌🏻 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/lXWeyHWdvS
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) September 25, 2018
Size doesn't matter, but the size of score matters! 😜 Someone who backed his game, more than worrying about his size! Way to go! Brilliant hundred @MShahzad077! 💯 #INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 25, 2018
Scintillating ton by Shahzad 👏👏 Best quality about Afghanistan team is their gumption and grit. When 4 wickets fell in a heap it appeared might not even get 150-160
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 25, 2018
It’s still a game of skills above all. #MohdShahzad
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 25, 2018
Mohammad Shahzad's century is the first against India by any batsman from teams apart from first 10 Test nations.
No. of 100s for each team v Ind:
40 Pak
39 Aus
36 SL
27 SA
23 WI
22 Eng
18 NZ
8 Zim
2 Ban
1 AFG
0 for other teams#IndvAfg #AsiaCup— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 25, 2018
What a wonderful ton by Mohammad Shahzad!! While I cheer for Team India today, I must say – Absolutely love the dedication & grit shown by Team Afghanistan in the series so far. Credit and appreciation where due 👏🏼 #INDvAFG
— Priya Adivarekar (@priyaadivarekar) September 25, 2018
Mohammad Shahzad, you beauty. On the Mumbai maidan, he might be cheekily called a Ganpathi: but in cricket, size doesn’t matter, talent does! Well played sir! #INDvAFG
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 25, 2018
Centuries for Afghanistan in ODIs:
Mohammad Shahzad – 5 in 76 innings
All other batsmen combined – 10 in 895 inningsRidiculous!#INDvAFG
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 25, 2018
Mohammad Shahzad for CSK in IPL 2019!
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) September 25, 2018
Mohammad Shahzad's 124 is the HIGHEST Individual Score by a Wicket-keeper in #AsiaCup History. Previous: Kumar Sangakkara 121 v Bangladesh, 2008 #INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) September 25, 2018
That's a fine batting performance by Afghanistan and they need to thank – Mohammad Shahzad for taking them to such a competitive total. #AsiaCup2018 #INDvAFG #Cricket #زھرا pic.twitter.com/XtefDGjGa3
— SaQib (@iam_SaQi9) September 25, 2018
What a great innings by #MohammadShahzad for the booming Afghanistan team. The team needs more matches with better teams like India, England and New Zealand to improvise. #INDvAFG
— Kunal Kumar (@kunal251) September 25, 2018
@ACBofficials #respect what a side… they have won the #asiacup with their overall performance . #indvafg #bravehearts
— shahab kalim (@shahabkalim) September 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/SoheilKhanzada/status/1044601461240471554
The wonderful century of @MShahzad077 against India will be remembered for years by Afghanistan spectators. #INDvAFG
— Saif Hasnat (@saifhasnat) September 25, 2018
