Opener Ibrahim Zadran was delighted to have made good on his promise to “bat like Sachin Tendulkar” after scoring Afghanistan’s first World Cup century against Australia today.
Zadran spoke to the Indian great yesterday and promptly took his advice on board by hitting a brilliant 129 not out as Afghanistan made 291 for five from their 50 overs in Mumbai.
His innings surpassed his country’s highest World Cup knock of 96 by Samiullah Shinwari against Scotland in 2015.
FOR THE BEST BETTING APPS ON CRICKET, CLICK HERE!
Speaking between the innings, the 21-year-old said: “It feels great to have scored Afghanistan’s maiden hundred in a World Cup match. I worked really hard for this tournament, I missed a hundred against Pakistan but made it today.
Ibrahim Zadran hits Afghanistan’s maiden ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup century at the Wankhede 🤩@MASTERCARDINDIA Milestones 🏏#CWC23 | #AUSVAFG PIC.TWITTER.COM/K41CGLQ2J4
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) NOVEMBER 7, 2023
“I was talking to my coaching staff and I told them I have a feeling I will get a hundred in the next three matches. 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.”
Zadran almost reached three figures earlier in the competition, hitting 87 against Pakistan.
Check out our other sports stories here:
https://www.businesslancashire.co.uk/category/sport/
