The second season of the T10 League got off to a sensational start in Sharjah on Wednesday with Afghanistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad blasting 74 from just 16 deliveries to secure one of the most remarkable wins in white ball cricket.
The Rajputs were set a target of 95 by the Sindhis in 10 overs, which looked like a challenging target. But Rajputs opener Shahzad took matters into his own hands and finished off the match with six overs to spare.
Opening the innings with captain Brendon McCullum, Shahzad cracked eight sixes and six fours to decimate Sindhis’ bowling.
Mohammad Nawaz, Jofra Archer, Thisara Perera and Fawad Ahmed all bowled one over apiece and all went for more than 20 runs.
After the win, the rotund keeper said he doesn’t care much about fitness and believes in match-fitness. The burly gloveman is routinely chastised for his excess weight.
“I don’t like Yo-Yo test. Some people score 20 in the fitness test but can’t hit a six. I do not care about it,” Shahzad said.
Earlier, retired India fast bowler Munaf Patel made a triumphant return to competitive cricket as he picked up 3-20 from his two overs to restrict Sindhis to 94-6.
Australia batsman Shane Watson top-scored with 42, while not a single other batsman reached double figures.
Munaf last played in the 2017 IPL and hasn’t played competitive cricket since.
