Twitter Reactions: Mohammad Shahzad powers Afghanistan to 252
Nabi also went on to score a magnificent half-century.
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The penultimate match of the Super 4 in the 2018 Asia Cup between India and Afghanistan had no significance as far as the tournament is concerned. The Men in Blue, being the most in-form team of the event, were expected to roll their opponents over. However, the Afghans showed immense resilience and put forth a target of 253 runs for India to chase down.
Shahzad blazes away
Asghar Afghan won the toss and didn’t hesitate to bat first. Javed Ahmadi and Mohammad Shahzad took Afghanistan off to a blistering start with a partnership of 65 runs from 76 deliveries. However, while Ahmadi strained to score the runs, the swashbuckling Shahzad looked at sheer ease. Ravindra Jadeja nipped out Ahmadi and ended the batter’s 30-ball five-run vigil.
Thereafter, Afghanistan lost Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi and the skipper perished in no time and the batting team was reduced to 82/4 after 15.3 overs. In the meantime, Shahzad accomplished his half-century off 37 balls. The 30-year-old went on to score his fifth century in 88 balls. The Nangarhar-born wicketkeeper-batsman eventually scored 124 runs from 116 balls.
Nabi injects the impetus
Gulbadin Naib tried to put his head down but fell prey to Deepak Chahar. After Naib’s dismissal, Shahzad and Mohammad Nabi took charge and cobbled together a stand of 48 runs, which ended with Shahzad’s dismissal. Nabi and Najibullah Zadran put together 46 runs to build a launchpad for the Afghans. Jadeja nipped Najibullah out for 20 runs to separate them.
Nabi went on to score a magnificent half-century and scored 64 runs from 56 balls to guide his team to a respectable position. Khaleel Ahmed picked him up in the 48th over. Rashid Khan and Aftab Alam picked up the singles in the death overs to lift Afghanistan to 252 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Jadeja was arguably India’s most successful bowler with three wickets.
Here is how Twitter reacted
#Bumrah and #Bhuvi ‘s absence felt… and their value for #TeamIndia just multiplied in my books. Important to manage and take care of them #AsiaCup18 #INDvsAFG
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) September 25, 2018
What a brilliant innings this has been from @MShahzad077. Absolute fearless cricket against one of the better ODI teams in the world. A big congratulations to you on your amazing century. #INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/jnT7o7upIl
— surya77 (@surya_14kumar) September 25, 2018
It’s been amazing to see @mshahzad077 bat. Feels like he is batting on a different pitch compared to the other batsmen. I don’t think I have seen any batsman score as heavily for a team as he has today. Scoring almost 75% of the runs is unheard of. Take a bow son. 🙌🏻 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/lXWeyHWdvS
— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) September 25, 2018
One man army literally today- Mohammad Shahzad , what an innings
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 25, 2018
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
What a great innings by #MohammadShahzad for the booming Afghanistan team. The team needs more matches with better teams like India, England and New Zealand to improvise. #INDvAFG
— Kunal Kumar Sahu (@kunal251) September 25, 2018
@ACBofficials #respect what a side… they have won the #asiacup with their overall performance . #indvafg #bravehearts
— shahab kalim (@shahabkalim) September 25, 2018
Three years from now on & Afghanistan will be among top five ODI teams. I'm envious of the potential these guys have. They are thirsty for win,no matter who is opponent. @ICC Give them more space in FTP. #INDvAFG #Shahzad #Nabi #afg #AsiaCup2018
— Soheil Khan (@SoheilKhanzada) September 25, 2018
The wonderful century of @MShahzad077 against India will be remembered for years by Afghanistan spectators. #INDvAFG
— Saif Hasnat (@saifhasnat) September 25, 2018
Afg put a good Total on Board.. How they Gonna defend this? India's Batting is good against Spinners..#INDvAFG #asiacup2018
— Resonance ( Pingu Scientist) (@A_Mateen_khan) September 25, 2018
Such a joy to watch @ACBofficials play! They have so much potential and they’re terrific entertainers. Seriously @ICC if you want Cricket to be a worldwide success, these guys should be playing more. Cricket fans are being robbed! #IndvAFG #AsiaCup
— Hetal Babla (@hetalcb) September 25, 2018
I want Afghanistan to win But I don't want @msdhoni to loss bcoz he is captaining after long time. That's hybridity 😶😵#INDvAFG#AsiaCup2018
— کاظم حسین (@kazim_Sayz) 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
#Pakistan dekhlo #Afghanistan ko they made 250+ score but #pak fail to score more against #India #INDvPAK #INDvAFG @StarSportsIndia
— Maheswar Parida (@iammahie) September 25, 2018
#INDvAFG will be a good batting practice for other guys to chase this total. Good that there is a big score to chase so everyone can contribute and find form before finals. Well played Afghanistan tho. Great team.
— Dilwala (@Angoor_aadmi) September 25, 2018
#INDvAFG the way they are playing is not fluke anymore
What a tournament for AFG. Surely great time ahead in very near future.— A@d!#Y (@Aditya_achbif) September 25, 2018
This is going to be a competitive score. Oly bcz afghans spin attack is one of the best and we have a relatively inexperienced batting line up. #IndvAfg #AsiaCup2018
— JD (@jayu_192) September 25, 2018
I feel shami and umesh are better backup for bhuvi and bumrah in odis than Shardul and kaul. #INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018
— ABD Santhosh (@dsanthosh451) September 25, 2018
Only positive takeout from this Asia cup is Team Afghanistan #INDvAFG
— Ankit (@JeeKaJanjal) September 25, 2018
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