Afghanistan's Shafiqullah Shafaq smashes double century in a local T20 tournament

Wicketkeeper-batsman Shafiqullah Shafaq struck an unbeaten 214 in a T20 game of a local tournament, Paragon Nangarhar Champion Trophy in Afghanistan. Playing for the Khateez Cricket Academy, the right-hander struck 214 runs from just 71 balls smashing 21 sixes and 16 fours against the Kabul Star Cricket Club team.

His power hitting helped Khateez Academy post a superlative total of 351 in just 20 overs. The right-hander got great support from Waheedullah Shafaq at the other end who scored 81 from 31 balls smacking 10 fours and 3 sixes. Waheedullah is Shafiqullah’s younger brother who has represented Afghanistan at the junior level and has also played for the A side.

In reply to Khateez’s huge total, the Star Cricket Club were wrapped up for just 107 runs and lost the game by a huge total of 244 runs. Talking to CricTracker exclusively, Shafiqullah has confirmed his achievement and expressed that he is happy to have played such a knock with his brother for company.

Shafiqullah, who has been a regular member in Afghanistan national side has represented them in the last three World T20s – 2012, 2014 and 2016. He featured in the ICC 50-over World Cup as well. The 27-year old is well known for his big hitting ability in the middle and lower order and had scored a 24-ball fifty in WT20 2014 against Hong Kong, to power his side to their maiden win in WT20 history. His fifty stood as an Afghan T20I record for the next two years.

Fastest ODI fifty for the team

He recently struck a 28-ball fifty against Ireland in the ODI series at Greater Noida, equaling Mohammad Nabi’s record for the fastest fifty in ODIs for Afghanistan. He was also applauded for his unbeaten 35 off 20 balls against England in the WT20 2016 as Afghanistan fell short of England’s total of 142 by just 15 runs.

His brother, Waheedullah Shafaq has played for Afghanistan in the previous two Under 19 World Cups in 2014 and 2016. The 20-year-old also represented the Afghanistan A side in their recent tour of Zimbabwe.