Asia Cup 2018: Twitter Reacts As Mohammad Shahzad's Ton Guides Afghanistan To Challenging Total

Riding on a stunning ton from Mohammad Shehzad, Afghanistan posted 252 for 8 against India in the fifth match of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup.

After struggling to get going previously in the tournament, Mohammad Shahzad finally got his mojo back . Asghar Afghan’s decision to bat first was proved right early on as Shahzad came out all guns blazing. The hard-hitting hit Khaleel Ahmed for a four in the first over to get off the mark.

In the 4th over, he made his intentions clear by hitting a 6 and a four as debutant Deepak Chahar conceded 17 in his second over. India had the chance to dismiss him when he was on 49 but Ambati Rayudu missed a catch which allowed the keeper-batsman to score his fifty off just 36 balls.

On the other end, his partners were finding it extremely tough to get going. Javed Ahmadi (5), Rahmat Shah (3), Hashmatullah Shahidi (0) and Afghan (0) all failed as Afghanistan found themselves four down for just 82. However, Shahzad held firm from one end to bail his side out of trouble.

He found an able partner in Gulbadin Naib as the latter managed to stop the fall of wickets at regular intervals despite struggling to score. The duo added 50 runs for the fifth wicket before Chahar broke the stand by dismissing Naib for 15. But losing one more partner did not affect Shahzad as he continued his run-scoring spree.

Shahzad reached his fifth ODI century in style by dispatching Yuzvendra Chahal for a four.

With all the frontline bowlers failing to find a way past the Afghanistan opener, it was Kedar Jadhav who gave India the much-needed breakthrough. Jadhav dismissed Shahzad for 124 to reduce Afghanistan to 180 for 6. Shahzad’s knock contained 11 fours and 7 sixes.

And after Shahzad’s dismissal, Mohammad Nabi (64) took the onus on himself to guide his team to a good total. The allrounder scored a fifty to help Afghanistan put up a fighting total.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:

Brilliant 100 from Mohammad Shahzad. Seems to be batting on a different wicket.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 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

One man army literally today- Mohammad Shahzad , what an innings

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 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

Mohammad Shahzad, you beauty. On the Mumbai maidan, he might be cheekily called a Ganpathi: but in cricket, size doesn’t matter, talent does! Well played sir! #INDvAFG

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 25, 2018

Mohammad Nabi is certainly a utility player. Problems reading wrist spin? Oh, he dismisses them from his presence, nonchalantly. Amazing! #INDvAFG #AsiaCup #AsiaCup2018

— S. Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) September 25, 2018

https://twitter.com/aslirajendra/status/1044593069641863168

Who cares about fitness when you can do this……..#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/vTW3sp5Roe

— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) September 25, 2018

Lowest team scores when a batsman has scored an ODI hundred

131 – MOHAMMAD SHAHZAD (today)*
131 – Shahid Afridi (15/04/2005)
135 – S Watson (11/04/2011)
136 – H Gibbs (12/02/2007)
138 – B McCullum (15/01/2015)
139 – Karim Sadiq (31/03/2012)

— Waqar Hafeez (@WaqarEY) September 25, 2018

https://twitter.com/PUNchayatiii/status/1044584066685710337

By Mohammad Shahzad's standards, that was as reserved a celebration as it gets for his century v India. Was half expecting him to throw his body on the ground like Federer and Nadal do after match point in a tennis grand slam, then start doing mock snow angels on the Dubai turf.

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) September 25, 2018

https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1044590494716776449

I've asked this question in the past & after watching Mohammad Shahzad, I'm asking it again today: What is more important – Ability or a Good score in the yo-yo test? Good of @iRameezRaja to ask this question just as I was typing this post!#AsiaCup2018

— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) September 25, 2018

What a wonderful ton by Mohammad Shahzad!! While I cheer for Team India today, I must say – Absolutely love the dedication & grit shown by Team Afghanistan in the series so far. Credit and appreciation where due ?? #INDvAFG

— Priya Adivarekar (@priyaadivarekar) September 25, 2018

https://twitter.com/Iamharry007/status/1044554413027807232

Millisecond was invented to measure MS Dhoni's stumping speed. #INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018

— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) September 25, 2018

https://twitter.com/imNeeki/status/1044550818282778626

https://twitter.com/Atheist_Krishna/status/1044550466510569473

Dhoni will be the captain of India for today's match. This time officially. #INDvAFG

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) September 25, 2018

I still cannot believe my eyes that MS had walked down for the toss. I had missed this moment badly, and knowing this could be the last time he is leading India, I am ready to break down at some point.#INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018

— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) September 25, 2018

Nice! Asghar Afghan wins toss, and gets to bat against India in the Super Four match. Sorry to 1,342,512,706 Indians – but I really hope your team gets trashed today ?. ???? #Asiacup2018 #Fairplay #Cricket #INDvAFG #INDvsAFG #AFGvIND pic.twitter.com/1Z9r8ME5OB

— F-M Mellbin (@AmbMellbin) September 25, 2018