Mohammad Shahzad is one of the most iconic and entertaining figures in Afghan cricket. Born on January 31, 1987, in Nangarhar Province, Shahzad is known for his aggressive batting, flamboyant stroke play, and infectious energy behind the stumps. As a wicketkeeper-batsman, he played a pioneering role in Afghanistan’s rise to prominence in world cricket, and his fearless approach helped the team carve out a unique identity on the global stage. Shahzad made his ODI debut in 2009 against the Netherlands and quickly made a name for himself with his explosive batting. His 214* in a first-class match against Canada in 2010 remains one of the highest scores in Afghanistan’s cricket history. With a natural flair for hitting, Shahzad has a reputation for taking on bowlers from the first ball, making him a fan favorite in T20s. One of his career highlights came in 2016, when he smashed a 118-run innings off just 67 balls against Zimbabwe in a T20I, becoming the first Afghan to score a T20I century. He also played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s historic win over West Indies in the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup. With over 2000 ODI runs and more than 1600 T20I runs, Shahzad is one of Afghanistan’s all-time top scorers. While his career has seen occasional setbacks due to injuries and disciplinary issues, Shahzad’s resilience and charisma have ensured his return to the national side multiple times. Off the field, he is known for his warm personality and sense of humor, often sharing light-hearted moments and training videos on Instagram and Facebook. Shahzad continues to be a symbol of Afghan cricket’s fearless brand, inspiring thousands of young players to dream big despite challenges.