(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran etched his name in the cricketing history at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. In a thrilling 39th match against Australia, Zadran achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first player from his team to smash a century in the ODI World Cup.
Zadran played a magnificent innings, scoring 129 runs off 143 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes. At just 21 years and 330 days old, Zadran not only secured his place as a centurion but also became the fourth youngest player to achieve this feat in the ODI World Cup. Additionally, he became the fourth youngest player to score an ODI hundred versus Australia.
Zadran joined the ranks of Afghanistan’s ODI centurions on Tuesday, bringing his total to five centuries, trailing just behind Mohammad Shehzad with six centuries in the format. His innings helped Afghanistan reach a competitive total of 292 runs at the loss of five wickets in 50 overs.
During the mid-innings, Zadran gave an interview to the broadcasters in which the right-hander appeared pleased with his own performance. He mentioned that he had worked hard to achieve success in the ongoing quadrennial tournament.
“I am feeling great to score Afghanistan’s maiden hundred in (World Cup). I worked really hard for this tournament, I missed a hundred against Pakistan but made it today. I was talking to my coaching staff and I told them I have a feeling I will get a hundred in next three matches. Wicket is looking good, ball is coming so well,” Zadra was quoted as saying in the mid-innings interview.
He further revealed that the legendary Sachin Tendulkar shared his invaluable playing experiences, which served as a source of inspiration and confidence for him. In fact, he even mentioned that he aimed to emulate Tendulkar’s batting style during the match.
Tendulkar had met the Afghanistan team in a training session on Monday.
“If we had made good partnerships and kept wickets in hand, we would have scored 330 but we lost a few wickets and didn’t get the kind of partnership (we were looking for) but Rashid played well in the end. We will try to bowl and field well. I had a good chat with Sachin Tendulkar; he shared his experience and I said before the match that I will bat like Sachin Tendulkar; he gave me a lot of energy and confidence,” he concluded.