ICC Awards: 5 best knocks of Mohammad Shahzad in 2016

#2 44 vs South Africa, Mumbai

Shahzad took it to a strong South African bowling attack

The odds were expectedly stacked against Afghanistan as they faced off South Africa in a Group Stage encounter in the 2016 edition of the World T20. On a batting paradise at the Wankhede, the Proteas racked up a massive 209 in 20 overs.

Many fans from round the globe would have switched their focus from the match, assuming an Afghan drubbing. The Afghans had nothing to lose and came out all guns blazing. Mohammad Shahzad carted the Proteas bowlers with disdain and ignited hopes of an improbable chase.

In an innings of 44 from 19 balls, he set the cat among the pigeons in the Proteas dugout, muscling them for eight boundaries (three 4’s and five 6’s). Chris Morris got rid of Shahzad, but not before he enlightened the small gathering at the Wankhede.

Afghanistan eventually went down by 37 runs, but they didn’t go down without a fight. The impetus was injected by Shahzad and then carried forward by the other Afghan batsmen, but lack of experience didn’t quite help their cause.