Twitter bows down to Mohammad Shahzad after his century against India

Mohammad Shahzad has been one of Afghanistan’s most prolific run-scorers ever since they started playing international cricket. In the ongoing Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he has got starts but hasn’t been able to convert. Even in the last match against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, the Nangarhar-born batsman notched a half-century after which he was dismissed.

Nevertheless, in Afghanistan’s last Super 4 match against India at Dubai International Cricket Ground, he decided to buckle down in order to get a substantial score under his belt, however, he didn’t alter his style of play. After Asghar Afghan won the toss and elected to bat first, the 30-year-old looked like a man with a mission and he creamed the bowling without much fuss.

Shahzad muscles his way to fifth ODI ton

India rested three of their mainstream bowlers- Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal- and the swashbuckling batsman took full toll. He didn’t die wondering by any stretch of the imagination to score the runs. The batsman at the other end didn’t look comfortable as Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja picked up a couple of wickets each.

In the meantime, Shahzad accomplished his half-century in merely 37 balls and looked at ease, unlike the other batsman. He entered the 90s with a colossal six off left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed. Thereafter, he curbed his natural instincts and mostly dealt in singles. When Afghanistan crossed the 100-run mark, Shahzad was the only batsman to reach double figures.

In the first ball of the 28th over, Deepak Chahar slid the ball down the leg-side and Shahzad turned the ball down to fine leg to notch the century from 88 balls. Meanwhile, he also scored Afghanistan’s first century against any top-nine ranked team in the 50-overs format. It also turned out to be his fifth century in One Day Internationals. Following the masterclass from the opening batsman, Twitter heaped praises on him.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Brilliant 100 from Mohammad Shahzad. Seems to be batting on a different wicket.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 25, 2018

This has been an incredible innings from Mohammad Shahzad. A century when the team score is 133/5 . Will need support from others to take Afghanistan to a respectable score #INDvAFG

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 25, 2018

Must be an incredible game. Shahzad 103 out of 132 (89) . The other batsmen have strike rates of 26, 75 and 35. Only one boundary struck by another player!!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 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

It’s still a game of skills above all. #MohdShahzad

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 25, 2018

Well played Shahzad. Truly a top class performance 💯👏👏👏

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) 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

A sensational hundred from Mohammad Shahzad. #AsiaCup2018 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/lK1JOyJPhz

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 25, 2018

Mohammad Shahzad not so much batting on another wicket as on another planet. #AsiaCup #INDvAFG

— Betting Maestro (@bettingmaestro8) September 25, 2018

Centuries for Afghanistan in ODIs:

Mohammad Shahzad – 5 in 76 innings
All other batsmen combined – 10 in 895 innings

Ridiculous!#INDvAFG

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 25, 2018

Mohammad Shahzad you absolute rockstar 👌🏻 🇦🇫
splendid 100 #INDvAFG

— Debaroop PC (@dpc_gooner) September 25, 2018

Mohammad Shahzad is like that dhol wala from #lagaan Not a pure batsman.But he keep hitting the ball out of the park!! #INDvsAFG

— Subin B Surendran (@yesbeyesOO7) September 25, 2018

Well played #MS take a bow man #MS #Mohammad #Shahzad you smashed them all the corners #Fearless cricketer #AFGvIND

— Unidentfied Kashmiri (@Gaamuk15) 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

What a knock…Extraordinary batting from mohammad shahzad. Extremely impressive.

— Ash (@Bcozyouare) September 25, 2018

Mohammad Shahzad take a bow !! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#INDvsAFG

— Goraam (@Goraamm) September 25, 2018

What a century from Mohammad Shahzad scored..

103 Runs in 89 Balls

And others scored 29 in 83 Balls

— MS Dhoni FC #INDvAFG #INDvAFG (@Dhoni_Cricbuzz) September 25, 2018

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