The 21-year-old opener Ibrahim Zadran became the first centurion for Afghanistan in World Cup history with a superb knock against 5-time Champion Australia at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 7th November 2023.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat first. It was an ideal start for Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran putting pressure on the Australian bowlers with attacking shots. Josh Hazlewood struck for Australia dismissing Gurbaz providing a simple catch to Starc at deep square leg. Afghanistan openers added 38 runs for the opening wicket laying. At the end of the first 10 overs, Afghanistan scored 46 for 1.
After the restrictions, Ibrahim and Rahmat Shah kept the momentum going for Afghanistan taking singles and hitting boundaries to put pressure on Aussies bowling. Ibrahim completed his fifty off just 62 deliveries. Glenn Maxwell struck dismissing Rahmat Shah with a simple catch to Hazlewood at long-on. Rahmat and Ibrahim added 83 runs for the 2nd wicket.
The captain Hashmatullah Shahidi struggled against disciplined Australian bowling. Ibrahim could not pace the innings. Mitchell Starc produced a yorker to dismiss Shahidi. Shahidi and Zadran added 52 runs for the 3rd wicket. Azmaulltah Omarzai showed intent to put pressure on Australian bowling. On the other hand, Zadran kept taking singles. Omarzai perished providing a simple catch to Maxwell at long-off. Omarzai and Ibrahim added 37 runs for the 4th wicket.
Ibrahim Zadran completed his century off 131 deliveries which laid the foundation for a decent total. After reaching the milestone, Zadran and Rashid Khan put on an excellent display of hitting as both hitters took a toll on Australian bowlers, especially Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins. It was a brilliant effort as Rashid and Zadran put on unbeaten 58 runs for the 6th wicket. At the end of 50 overs, Afghanistan made 291 for 5.
Ibrahim Zadran became the first centurion for Afghanistan in World Cups
Afghanistan played its first World Cup in the 2015 edition. They won their first match against Scotland thrillingly.
They could not replicate their form in the 2019 edition of World Cup finishing last in the points table. The 2023 edition of the World Cup saw Afghanistan defeating three former World Champions including England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Ibrahim Zadran became the first Afghanistan batter to score a century in World Cup history. He remained not out on 129 off 143 deliveries with 8 boundaries and 3 sixes. The previous best score by an Afghanistan batter in World Cup history was by Samiullah Shinwari who scored 96 off 147 deliveries against Scotland at University Oval, Dunedin.
Ibrahim Zadran also posted the third-highest scorer by an Afghanistan batter in World Cup history. He made 87 against Pakistan chasing down 283 at Chennai during the ongoing edition.
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