Afghanistan batsman Mohammad Shahzad was at his lethal best as he ripped apart the Sindhi bowling attack to lead his side to a 10-wicket victory in the opening encounter of the 2018 T10 league on Wednesday.
In what was possibly the most destructive innings of T10 cricket, Shahzad slammed an unbeaten 74 from just 16 deliveries to help the Rajputs complete a 95-run in just four overs and without the loss of any wicket.
His opening partner Brendon McCullum remained not out on 24 runs from eight balls. The former New Zealand skipper witnessed the storm from the other side as Shahzad tore into the Sindhi bowlers, hitting six hours and eight sixes enroute his record-breaking score.
Shahzad’s score of 74 runs is the highest score in this format of the game and the Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman notched up another history by bringing up his fifty in just 12 balls, another first in the history of T10 cricket.
Earlier batting first, the Sindhis made a 94/6 in 10 overs mostly aided by their skipper Shane Watson’s 20-ball 42. Rest of the batsmen failed to contribute much meaning the Sindhis couldn’t cross the three-figure mark. Veteran Munaf Patel was the bowling side’s most successful bowler taking three wickets for just 20 runs in two overs. Carlos Brathwaite also accounted for two wickets.
Despite their batting disappointments, the match was still expected to be close affair but Shahzad’s Blitzer meant it took the Rajputs just 17 minutes to complete the chase.