In a remarkable and historic moment at the Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan’s opener, Ibrahim Zadran, etched his name into the tournament’s annals by scoring the first-ever century by an Afghan player. The milestone was a testament to his determination and hard work, but Zadran also credited legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar for providing him with invaluable confidence through a heartwarming pep talk.
A Meeting with Sachin: An Inspiring Encounter
The turning point in Ibrahim Zadran’s incredible journey came as he met the iconic Sachin Tendulkar, who shared his wisdom with the Afghanistan team just a day before their clash against Australia at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
“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. 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,” revealed Zadran during the mid-innings interval.
The mere presence of Sachin Tendulkar at Wankhede Stadium and his interaction with the Afghanistan players left an indelible impact. Zadran further emphasized, “It was a special moment to meet Sachin. It was the dream of everyone to meet him. To meet him at Wankhede, it’s a different feeling. It has given a lot of positive energy to the guys. Not just Afghanistan, he’s a role model for players all around the world. A lot of people around the world started playing cricket watching him bat. So for us, it was a dream to meet him,” as Rashid Khan expressed his admiration for the cricketing legend.
Zadran’s Record-Breaking Century
Ibrahim Zadran’s historic century arrived as he scored an impressive 129 not out off 143 balls, reaching his century in 131 deliveries. This remarkable achievement marked Afghanistan’s highest-ever score at the ODI World Cup. Zadran’s century obliterated the previous record held by Samiullah Shinwari’s 96 against Scotland in 2015.
However, Zadran had come tantalizingly close to surpassing that record just two weeks earlier when he scored 87 runs against neighbouring Pakistan. This time, he didn’t miss the mark. In the process, Zadran’s scintillating performance, along with a late onslaught by Rashid Khan, propelled Afghanistan to a formidable total of 292 runs, showcasing their remarkable progress in the cricketing world.
Future Goals for Afghanistan
While reflecting on Afghanistan’s performance against Australia, Zadran acknowledged that his team had the potential to post an even more imposing total. Despite the excellent pitch and a promising start, wickets fell at crucial junctures, preventing them from reaching their desired score. With plans and strategies in place for each opponent, Afghanistan remains committed to excelling not just with the bat but also in their bowling and fielding efforts.
Ibrahim Zadran’s achievement and the influence of cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar provide the Afghan team with inspiration and determination as they aspire to make their mark on the global cricket stage.
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