Full Name: Mohammad Shahzad Mohammadi Born: January 31, 1988 (Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan) Role: Wicketkeeper-Batsman Batting Style: Right-hand bat Bowling Style: Right-arm offbreak (part-time) Jersey Number: 77 (Afghanistan National Team) Mohammad Shahzad is one of the most colorful and charismatic cricketers to emerge from Afghanistan. Known for his aggressive batting style, unorthodox technique, and bold personality, Shahzad was instrumental in the early rise of Afghan cricket and remains one of the nation's most beloved sporting icons. Born in Jalalabad, Shahzad's journey to stardom began in humble surroundings, where he grew up playing tennis-ball cricket with friends in the narrow streets of his hometown. Despite limited facilities and resources, his natural talent with the bat was obvious early on. His unique blend of brute force and fearless strokeplay helped him stand out in domestic tournaments. Shahzad made his international debut in 2009 when Afghanistan played their first-ever ODI against Scotland. It didn't take long for him to become the team's go-to opener. He made headlines in 2010 during the ICC Intercontinental Cup, where he scored a memorable 214 against Canada*, marking Afghanistan's first-ever double century in first-class cricket. His explosive style made him especially effective in T20 cricket. Shahzad was part of the team during Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup debut in 2010, and over the years, he became their most reliable opening batter. In 2016, during the ICC World T20 in India, he was named in the ICC Team of the Tournament after scoring 222 runs in 7 games at a brisk strike rate. One of Shahzad’s most iconic achievements came in 2018, when he smashed 124 runs off 116 balls against India in the Asia Cup — the first century by an Afghan batter against a Test-playing nation in an ODI. His signature style — audacious slogs, sweeping sixes, and unfiltered celebrations — made him a fan favorite across the world. Shahzad was also Afghanistan’s first player to score over 2,000 T20I runs, and at one point, he held the record for most T20I runs by a wicketkeeper-batsman. His fearless approach at the top of the order was vital in helping Afghanistan qualify for and compete in major ICC events. Despite his immense talent, Shahzad’s career has been marked by ups and downs. Fitness concerns, disciplinary issues, and injuries led to suspensions and periodic exclusions from the squad. He was controversially ruled out of the 2019 World Cup due to a knee injury, leading to tensions with the Afghanistan Cricket Board. Yet, whenever Shahzad returned to the field, he proved his value with match-winning performances. Whether playing in ICC tournaments or franchise leagues like the Afghanistan Premier League and Pakistan Super League, his batting flair and wicketkeeping skills never failed to entertain. Off the field, Shahzad is known for his humor, warmth, and love for music and food — often seen dancing with teammates or joking with fans. He continues to play domestic and T20 cricket, inspiring young Afghan cricketers to dream big. Mohammad Shahzad’s legacy lies not just in records, but in the passion and personality he brought to Afghan cricket. He remains a symbol of joy, resilience, and unfiltered cricketing genius.