Ibrahim Zadran creates history; Becomes first ever Afghanistan batsman to hit a World Cup century

Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 129 runs off 143 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes against Australia.

Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran has entered the history books after scoring a century against Australia at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ibrahim Zadran has become the first ever batter from Afghanistan to score a century in the World Cup. Ibrahim Zadran batted beautifully against Australian bowling attack. Afghanistan have posted 291 runs on the board against Australia. 

The 21-year-old right-hand batter is now just one century away from equaling Mohammad Shahzad in the most number of centuries recorded for Afghanistan in ODIs. Zadran broke Samiullah Shinwari's record of highest individual score by an Afghanistan batsman in World Cup. Samiullah Shinwari smashed 96 runs against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup, which was their first ever World Cup victory in history. Ibrahim has helped Afghanistan reach a challenging total against Australia in a must-win game.

Zadran's determination put Afghan on top

Ibrahim Zadran has also become the fourth-youngest batter to score a century against Australia. Mohammad Ashraful is the youngest batter to score a hundred against Australia. Ashraful was just 20 years and 282 days old when he smashed a ton against Kangaroos in Cardiff in 2005. He is also the fourth-youngest to score a century in the 50-overs World Cup. Ibrahim recently became the quickest Afghan batter to complete 1,000 ODI runs.

Opener Ibrahimm Zadran kept adding partnerships after partnerships to take the team's score close to 300 in 50 overs. Ibrahim Zadran took 131 balls to score the first ever century for Afghanistan in the World Cup. He smashed eight fours and three sixes in his innings. Right after completing his milestone, Zadran went on to accelerate and scored 29 runs in just 12 balls. Ibrahim remained unbeaten in his innings and scored 129 runs in 143 balls.

Ibrahim Zadran has now scored 349 runs in the ongoing World Cup 2023 with one century and one half-century in 8 innings. Rashid Khan played a magnificent cameo to put Australia in a challenging position. Australian openers are in great form, David Warner and Travis Head’s partnership will be key for Australians at Wankhede Stadium. Australia need to win this game to secure their place in the semi-finals round.