AUS vs AFG: Ibrahim Zadran becomes first Afghanistan batter to hit World Cup hundred

Opener Ibrahim Zadran became the first-ever Afghanistan batter to score a century in the World Cup when he crossed the three-figure mark in a group-stage match against Australia at Wankhede Stadium.

Zadran got his first World Cup hundred in 131 deliveries with a double of Josh Hazlewood in the 44th over. Previously, in the 2015 World Cup, Samiullah Shinwari’s 147-ball 96 against Scotland at the University Oval in Dunedin was the highest individual score by an Afghan batter in the quadrennial event. Intriguingly, Zadran’s 87 against Pakistan in Chennai during this World Cup is the third-highest score by an Afghan batter in the tournament.

Zadran, who is 21 years and 330 days old, is the fourth youngest World Cup century scorer, following Ireland’s Paul Sterling, Australia’s Ricky Ponting, and Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando. In a performance that combined aggression and finesse, Zadran showcased his skills against a formidable Australian bowling lineup. Undaunted by the hostile bowling attack, he exhibited incredible resilience and skill, consistently hitting boundaries and sixes to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Zadran’s century came at a crucial juncture when the Afghanistan team desperately needed a substantial partnership. His composed innings served as the backbone of their respectable total, instilling hope in an otherwise struggling team. The Afghan opening batsman has enjoyed a remarkable run in World Cup 2023, scripting history and reaching significant personal milestones.

Ibrahim Zadran recently accomplished the remarkable feat of becoming the fastest Afghanistan cricketer to reach 1,000 career runs in One-Day Internationals during a match against Pakistan in Chennai. Notably, he outpaced his fellow opener and compatriot, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who achieved this milestone in 27 innings during the World Cup match against Bangladesh. In contrast, Zadran reached this remarkable milestone in just 24 innings, marking a significant moment in his ODI career, which commenced in 2019 against West Indies in Lucknow.