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Shahzad Sets T10 League On Fire With 74 Off 16 Balls

Afghanistan’s National Cricket team batsman Mohammad Shahzad has set the bar high in this year’s T10 League in the UAE after his 74 off just 16 balls - which featured two singles, 6 fours and 8 sixes – a record high for an individual batsman in the T10 league so far.

His blazing innings helped the Rajputs beat the Sindhis by 10 wickets in Dubai on Wednesday night. Batting first the Sindhis scored 94/6 in 10 overs. In reply, Brendon McCullum (21 off 8) along with Shahzad tonked the bowlers all-round the ground and reached the mark in just 16 minutes. 

Earlier, Rajputs won the toss and elected to field.

Karachi failed to get off to a good start but Shane Watson’s quickfire 42 helped them reach 94/6 in 10 overs. But the game was over in a matter of minutes as Shahzad went on a rampage and Sindhis finished their innings with a run rate of 24.

Earlier, Shahzad had spoken about his stocky build and fitness regime and said: “I work a lot on my fitness but I don’t compromise on food. You want me to have a fitness routine like Kohli, it is not possible, but I am working on it (losing weight).”

Comparing his batting skills with India’s captain Virat Kohli, Shahzad said: “I can hit bigger sixes than Kohli so why do I need to follow his diet?,” he added.

Sixteen Afghan players are in this tournament including Rashid Khad, Mujeeb Zadran and Mohammad Nabi.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and the Chairman of Emirates Cricket Board, officially inaugurate the tournament at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The league has drawn a strong line up of 128 international cricketers from India, Pakistan, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka – all of whom are playing for the eight franchises — Kerala Knights, Punjabi Legends, Bengal Tigers, Maratha Arabians, Pakhtoons, Rajputs and two newcomers in Sindhis and Northern Warriors.

Twenty-nine matches will be played with the final scheduled for December 2.

Speaking to Gulf News, Shaji ul Mulk, chairman of the T10 League and who conceptualized this format, said: “It is a league which was born in UAE and became the talk of the cricketing world and hence as a fitting tribute to the ‘Spirit of the UAE Union,’ we have decided to stage the final of the second edition on UAE’s National Day.

“The huge response from fans in the first edition made us expand the league by including two more teams. We thank the Emirates Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council for their kind support and continuous vigilance on promoting fair play. It is something that the T10 League considers as of paramount importance,” he said.

Shahzad Sets T10 League On Fire With 74 Off 16 Balls

The second season of the T10 League got underway on Wednesday in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

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Afghanistan’s National Cricket team batsman Mohammad Shahzad has set the bar high in this year’s T10 League in the UAE after his 74 off just 16 balls - which featured two singles, 6 fours and 8 sixes – a record high for an individual batsman in the T10 league so far.

His blazing innings helped the Rajputs beat the Sindhis by 10 wickets in Dubai on Wednesday night. Batting first the Sindhis scored 94/6 in 10 overs. In reply, Brendon McCullum (21 off 8) along with Shahzad tonked the bowlers all-round the ground and reached the mark in just 16 minutes. 

Earlier, Rajputs won the toss and elected to field.

Karachi failed to get off to a good start but Shane Watson’s quickfire 42 helped them reach 94/6 in 10 overs. But the game was over in a matter of minutes as Shahzad went on a rampage and Sindhis finished their innings with a run rate of 24.

Earlier, Shahzad had spoken about his stocky build and fitness regime and said: “I work a lot on my fitness but I don’t compromise on food. You want me to have a fitness routine like Kohli, it is not possible, but I am working on it (losing weight).”

Comparing his batting skills with India’s captain Virat Kohli, Shahzad said: “I can hit bigger sixes than Kohli so why do I need to follow his diet?,” he added.

Sixteen Afghan players are in this tournament including Rashid Khad, Mujeeb Zadran and Mohammad Nabi.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and the Chairman of Emirates Cricket Board, officially inaugurate the tournament at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The league has drawn a strong line up of 128 international cricketers from India, Pakistan, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka – all of whom are playing for the eight franchises — Kerala Knights, Punjabi Legends, Bengal Tigers, Maratha Arabians, Pakhtoons, Rajputs and two newcomers in Sindhis and Northern Warriors.

Twenty-nine matches will be played with the final scheduled for December 2.

Speaking to Gulf News, Shaji ul Mulk, chairman of the T10 League and who conceptualized this format, said: “It is a league which was born in UAE and became the talk of the cricketing world and hence as a fitting tribute to the ‘Spirit of the UAE Union,’ we have decided to stage the final of the second edition on UAE’s National Day.

“The huge response from fans in the first edition made us expand the league by including two more teams. We thank the Emirates Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council for their kind support and continuous vigilance on promoting fair play. It is something that the T10 League considers as of paramount importance,” he said.

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