Afghanistan opening batsman Mohammad Shahzad played a great century knock against India on Tuesday at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai) in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2018 that ended in a tie. After the game, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan said that he doesn’t believe that Indian cricketer MS Dhoni enjoyed that innings.
Shahzad played a vital role for Afghanistan to manage the fighting total of 252/8 at the end of first 50 overs of the game. While wickets were falling from the other end as many Afghan batsmen struggled against the Indian bowlers, Shahzad played a firing role and hit a brilliant century. After completing his half-century in just 37 balls, Shahzad reached to his fifth ODI century in 88 balls.
The right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman stretched his remarkable innings to 124 runs 116 balls (11 fours and 7 sixes) before Kedar Jadhav finally sent him to the pavilion during the 38th over of that innings.
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Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan praised Shahzad for his brilliant batting performance against India. Asghar also believes that MS Dhoni, the stand-in-captain of Indian cricket team in that game, didn’t enjoy that innings.
Asghar said at the post-match press conference, “Hum bhi bahut enjoy rahe the … Mere khayaal mean MS ne enjoy nahin kiya kyunki usko maar pad rahi thi udhar … toh humne bahut enjoy kiya. (We enjoyed his innings, but I don’t think MS enjoyed it because he [sic India] were getting hit around the ground, but we really enjoyed it).”
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It was the thrilling game where the Indian cricket team also scored the same runs of Afghanistan’s first batting total (252), before getting all-out in 49.5 overs. Asghar feels the tied result against India is just like a win for them.
The Afghanistan skipper said, “When you tie a match with a side like India, it’s just like a win. India have chased easily in the last two games but we made it tough for them. Such tough games are good for the fans as well.”
