The India-Afghanistan Super Four match in the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai) was ended in a thrilling tie.

Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan decided to bat first after winning the toss. Mohammad Shahzad’s (124) brilliant century and Mohammad Nabi’s crucial 64-run knocks helped Afghanistan to manage a fighting total of 252/8 at the end of 50 overs.

In reply, Indian openers started brilliantly with a century partnership but late wickets forced them to collapse the innings on the exact 252 runs in 49.5 overs.

Brief Score: Afghanistan – 252/8 in 50 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 124, Mohammad Nabi 64; Ravindra Jadeja 3/46)

India – 252 in 49.5 overs (KL Rahul 60, Ambati Rayudu 57; Mohammad Nabi 2/40)

Result – Match tied

Here are some of the statistical highlights of the match:

i) Indian wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni returned to the captaincy at the age of 37 years and 80 days.

• Dhoni becomes India’s oldest ODI captain. The previous record holder was Mohammad Azharuddin who had led the Indian cricket team last time in ODI cricket at the age of 36 years and 124 days.

ii) Indian skipper MS Dhoni led the side for the 200th ODI game.

• The third overall cricketer and first Indian cricketer to lead in 200 or more ODI matches.

Captains with 200 or more ODI matches

Also read: MS Dhoni Is A Firm Believer Of Destiny

iii) Mohammad Shahzad completed his century when Afghanistan was on 131/4.

• The joint lowest team total in ODI history when a player completed his century. Earlier, Pakistan batsman Shahid Afridi completed his ODI century against India when Pakistan’s total was 131/0 (at Kanpur on April 15, 2005).

iv) Afghanistan batsman Mohammad Shahzad scored 124 runs in this match.

• The third highest ODI knock by an Afghanistan batsman.

Top ODI knocks by Afghanistan batsmen

v) Afghanistan batsman Mohammad Shahzad (2,508 ODI runs) completed 2,500 runs in his ODI career.

• First Afghanistan batsman to achieve this feat.

Also watch: Kuldeep Yadav Gets Two-in-two

vi) Indian openers KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu provided a century partnership (110 runs) for the opening wicket.

• It was the 23rd century partnership for Indian cricket team in the Asia Cup history (only ODI formats) which is the most number of century partnerships for a team in the Asia Cup history (only ODI formats). India surpassed Pakistan who has 22 centuries partnerships in this tournament history.

vii) It was the sixth tied game in MS Dhoni’s international career and all as the captain (five in ODIs and one in T20I).

• Dhoni is leading as the captain in the tied games’ records both in ODIs and international cricket. The joint second positioned captains have never achieved this result more than thrice in both perspectives.
• Former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum had involved in seven tied matches during his international career. Dhoni is in the joint second position with five other cricketers.