In the opening match of the second season of T10 League between Rajputs and Sindhis, Afghanistan batsman Mohammed Shahzad smashed 74 runs just in 16 balls as he guided his side to a clinical 10-wicket victory.
During his brilliant knock, Shahzad smashed eight sixes, six fours, two singles and no dot balls as Rajputs chased down the target of 95 runs in just four overs. Interestingly, the 36 balls which went unused during Rajputs’ innings were matched with the number of runs Shahzad was short of his century, suggesting it might have been on if the innings had run its full course.
That is the view of former Australian cricketer and Sindhi coach Tom Moody.
Speaking after the match, Moody said he had not believed reaching three figures would be possible for a batsman in such 10 overs format but Shahzad’s innings had altered his view.
“If you had asked me that question before tonight, I would have said ‘No, there is no chance’,” Moody said, before adding, “This is my first experience of a T10 game. Looking at the wicket, looking at the size of the ground, looking at the striking by Shahzad, there is no reason a batsman couldn’t reach a hundred.”
Heaping praises on the Afghan batsman, Moody said, “It would be an extraordinary performance if someone did. I would be surprised if we saw an innings like that again in the next two weeks. I think we have been treated to something pretty special.”