Twitter Reactions: Ahmed Shehzad’s half century powers Pakistan to 183

In the final match of the historic Independence Cup in Pakistan, the visiting captain Faf du Plessis won the toss. Sticking to plans from the previous match where they won big chasing a decent total, he asked the hosts to bat first. Sarfraz Ahmed was more than happy obliging as they were anyway looking to put up a total on the board and then their bowlers can restrict World XI.

Pakistan were off to a flying start Fakhar Zaman and Shehzad both playing their shots against the opening bowlers. While it was Morne Morkel who initiated the proceedings, Faf brought in Samuel Badree at the other end. Both the bowlers failed to bowl a line that would force the Pakistanis to think and rather gave them looseners to relish on.

The first wicket finally came in the 9th over when Darren Sammy got his hand on a ball struck back towards him, it deflected back onto the stumps and Zaman was out of his crease. Despite losing his partner Shehzad kept going as he found an able partner in Babar Azam. The duo added 102 runs together and laid a solid foundation.

Babar was out two short of his half century as he was caught by Faf off Thisara Perera while Ahmed Shehzad breached past the fifty-run mark and just when he had the hundred in sight was unfortunately run out on 89. He hit eight boundaries and three sixes in his stunning knock that set them up for a winning total. Shoaib Malik gave them the finishing touches with a 7-ball 17.

They concluded the innings on 183/4. For World XI, Perera, the hero of their previous victory was the pick of the bowlers with his effort of 4-0-37-2 as no other bowler picked a wicket. World XI has a challenging total to chase but with the series on the line expect them to come hard at the Pakistani bowlers.

Here is how Twitterati reacted during the course of the innings:

Surprise surprise. Ahmed Shehzad today became first Pakistan batsman ever to hit 3 sixes in three balls in a T20 International. #PakvWXI

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 15, 2017

Banner thanking Shahid Afridi on display in the crowd during the 3rd T20I #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/UKGpVL17OR

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 15, 2017

Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi at Gaddafi Stadium watching the third T20I between Pakistan and World XI #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/oBGntbcS5X

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 15, 2017

Very crafty half-century from @iamAhmadshahzad
He has looked great tonight. Time to try and get your second T20I 100 Gladiator #PAKvWXI

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) September 15, 2017

Most runs in a 3-match bilateral T20I series
199 Virat Kohli v AUS, 2016
179 Babar Azam v W XI, 2017
175 Kane Williamson v PAK 2016#PAKvWXI

— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) September 15, 2017

George Bailey is keeping wickets for the first time in International cricket. #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/PCUdWw8cUO

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 15, 2017

Ahmed Shehzad kabhi bhi aesi innings na khelta agar Afridi stadium mein na hota. No doubt credit goes to him. pic.twitter.com/4eZZinPG9O

— SIR .. (@SirJohnRoe) September 15, 2017

If I were Ahmed Shehzad, I'd already be thinking of an apt reply to Shoaib Malik's tweet.

— Shabbir Kazmi (@HaayeShabbir) September 15, 2017

Ahmed Shehzad batted pretty well today was quite surprising to see an innings like that from his bat in a long time!!..#PAKvWXI

— Jawwad Hussain Naqvi (@jawwadnaqvi1) September 15, 2017

When Ahmed Shehzad smashed 3 sixes :D?#CricketComesHome #PAKvWorldXI #Pakistan #CricketKiHalalala pic.twitter.com/YCdfhtL2MZ

— Tauheed Akram (@metuheedakram) September 15, 2017

The moment when you realize that #ahmedshehzad would be the man of the match if #TeamPakistan wins#PAKvsWorldXI #PakistanZindabad#PakvsWXI pic.twitter.com/Ypjba12uXM

— Nageen Sohail (@nageen_sohail) September 15, 2017

If Ahmed Shehzad can hit 3 sixes in a row then you can also propose your crush.

— زرمْـیــ乙armiـــــنہ (@ZarmiSays) September 15, 2017

Ahmed Shehzad played well today but imad's performance was very bad in the last few matches and in this one too. Very disappointing??

— ufaq nazir (@ufaqnazir10) September 15, 2017

I am expecting a tweet from Shoaib Malik to Ahmad Shehzad that * Ahmed Shehzad Ap great ho * ??#PAKvWXI

— Mahrukh. ? (@batsunnomahrukh) September 15, 2017