This Day That Year: Afghan batsman created record in T20Is
It was a remarkable day as Hazratullah Zazai produced one of
the best innings against Ireland played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium,
Dehradun on 23rd February 2019.
Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan won the toss and decided
to bat first. Zazai and Ghani started off a flying start putting pressure on
Ireland bowling attack right from the word go. At the end of the first six
overs, Afghan openers raced away to 64.
Zazai made the batting look easy and reached his
half-century off 25 balls. The Afghan openers raced away to century in just 9
overs to put enough pressure on the Ireland bowlers. Ghani also completed his
fifty off 31 balls. The left-handed explosive Zazai showed his class and
reached a century off just 42 balls. Zazai continued to hit the Ireland bowlers all over the park keeping the pressure on the Irish bowlers.
Zazai reached his 150 off just 58 balls and just decimated
the Ireland bowling line-up. Ghani was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 73
off 48 balls as Afghan openers added a record 236 runs. Zazai was exceptional with
his hitting as he remained on 162 off 62 balls with 11 fours and 16 sixes. Thanks
to Zazai’s brilliance, Afghanistan posted a record 278 for 3 in 20 overs.
Zazai’s score of 162 not out was the second-highest individual
score by a batsman in T20Is. He fell short 10 short of Aaron Finch’s record of
172. Afghanistan 278 for 3 is the biggest total by a team in the shortest
format.
Zazai’s 16 sixes in an innings is the most by a batsman in
T20Is. He went past Finch’s tally of 14 during his knock of 156. His knock holds
the second-highest individual score by a batsman in T20Is.
It was a high-scoring affair as Ireland made 194 for 8.
Afghanistan won the match easily by 84 runs. For his 162*, Zazai was named the
man of the match award.
Zazai posted the second-highest individual total by a batsman in T20Is
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