Mohammad Shahzad

Shahzad is from a Pashtun family originally from the majority Pashtun Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan, but they moved to a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan due to the war in Afghanistan. Shahzad spent most of his early life in Peshawar and was married in Peshawar. He was still living in Peshawar as a temporary resident in 2018, prompting the Afghanistan Cricket Board to request he relocate to Afghanistan.

Shahzad was not part of Afghanistan's squad when they began to rise through international cricket tournaments in 2008, joining for the 2009 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in South Africa. His strong performances in the tournament helped Afghanistan obtain One Day International status and he has been a regular part of their national team in all three formats of the game since then.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan/content/player/419873.html|title=Mohammad Shahzad - Check Shahzad's News, Career, Age, Rankings, Stats|last=Della Penna|first=Peter|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad first played first-class cricket for Afghanistan in the 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup, the highest level of international cricket below Test cricket.

In August 2009, Shahzad made his first-class debut against a Zimbabwe XI at Mutare Sports Club, scoring 79 in his first ever first-class innings.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8074/scorecard/415165/zimbabwe-xi-vs-afghanistan-icc-intercontinental-cup-2009-2010-11|title=Full Scorecard of Zimbabwe XI vs Afghanistan, ICC Intercontinental Cup - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} He played a key role in Afghanistan's win over Ireland, with scores of 88 and 42 not out,{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icccont2010/content/story/445447.html|title=Afghans take 2nd day honours {{!}} Cricket|date=22 January 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} and in February 2010, he became the first Afghan to score a first-class double century when he scored 214 not out in Afghanistan's successful chase of 494 runs to beat Canada.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/world-twenty20-2010/content/story/457117.html|title=Afghanistan's extraordinary journey reaches West Indies {{!}} Cricket|last=McGlashan|first=Andrew|date=28 April 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icccont2010/content/story/449712.html|title=Intercontinental Cup: Afghanistan chase down 494 {{!}} Cricket|date=23 February 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} His other century for the tournament came in August 2010 against Scotland. He scored 54 in the first innings as Afghanistan put on 435 runs, then scored rapidly in the second innings as Afghanistan asserted their dominance on the game. Afghanistan did not declare until Shahzad reached his century, and he did so by hitting Moneeb Iqbal for six runs.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icccont2010/content/story/472308.html|title=Intercontinental Cup: Shahzad leaves Scotland with a mountain to climb {{!}} Cricket|date=13 August 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8074/scorecard/438895/scotland-xi-vs-afghanistan-icc-intercontinental-cup-2009-2010-11|title=Full Scorecard of Scotland vs Afghanistan, ICC Intercontinental Cup - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad scored a half-century in the Intercontinental Cup final against Scotland to give Afghanistan the title in their first year of participation.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icccont2010/content/story/490403.html|title=Afghanistan v Scotland: Afghanistan surge to Intercontinental title {{!}} Cricket|date=4 December 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} He finished the tournament as the top run-scorer for both Afghanistan and the whole competition, with 802 runs at an average of 80.20, including two centuries and five half-centuries. He was also the leading wicket-keeper, with 28 dismissals behind the wickets, including 25 catches and 3 stumpings.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=5107;type=tournament|title=ICC Intercontinental Cup, 2009-2010/11 Cricket Team Records & Stats|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_career.html?id=5107;type=tournament|title=ICC Intercontinental Cup, 2009-2010/11 Cricket Team Records & Stats|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} As a result, he was one of four players from Afghanistan named in the team of the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icccont2010/content/story/490066.html|title=ICC news: William Porterfield to captain Intercontinental Cup XI {{!}} Cricket|date=2 December 2011|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad scored a half-century in Afghanistan's opening match of the 2011–13 ICC Intercontinental Cup against Canada,{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8074/scorecard/516842/canada-vs-afghanistan-icc-intercontinental-cup-2011-2013-14|title=Full Scorecard of Canada vs Afghanistan, ICC Intercontinental Cup - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} but otherwise failed to have a major impact on the tournament. He never again scored above 50 and finished with an average of just 23.81,{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=6497;team=40;type=tournament|title=ICC Intercontinental Cup, 2011-2013/14 - Afghanistan Cricket Team Records & Stats|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} though at the end of the tournament, he was named the team's new vice-captain.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan/content/story/623019.html|title=Mohammad Nabi named captain ahead of ICC Intercontinental Cup {{!}} Cricket|last=Farooq|first=Umar|date=1 March 2013|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} In January 2012, Shahzad played in a side made up of some of the leading players from Associate and Affiliate teams called the ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate XI, which was put together to face England in Dubai. The three-day match was part of England's preparation for a series against Pakistan later that month. Along with Mohammad Nabi and Hameed Hasan, Shahzad was one of three Afghanistan players included in the 12-man squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-england-2012/content/story/545647.html|title=Pakistan v England: Associate and Affiliate players get chance to face England in warm-up match {{!}} Cricket|date=16 December 2011|access-date=18 December 2011}} During the match, he scored two half-centuries, and he was named the player of the match despite his team losing.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/12635/scorecard/531625/icc-combined-associate-and-affiliate-xi-vs-england-tour-match-england-tour-of-united-arab-emirates-2011-12|title=Full Scorecard of ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate XI vs England XI Tour Match 2012 - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad bounced back in the 2015–17 ICC Intercontinental Cup and scored his third and fourth first-class centuries against Papua New Guinea and Namibia respectively. The century against Papua New Guinea saw Afghanistan overcome a 151-run first innings deficit to win by 201 runs,{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-intercontinental-cup-2015-17/content/story/943471.html|title=Afghanistan overturn deficit for 201-run win {{!}} Cricket|date=24 November 2015|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} and the century against Namibia, for which Shahzad was named the player of the match, helped Afghanistan to an innings victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-intercontinental-cup-2015-17/content/story/997015.html|title=Shahzad, spinners give Afghanistan huge win {{!}} Cricket|date=12 April 2016|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} This was Afghanistan's final involvement in the Intercontinental Cup, as in 2017, they were granted full member status by the International Cricket Council and were automatically given Test status.

In May 2018, Shahzad was named in Afghanistan's squad for their inaugural Test match played against India.{{cite web |url=http://www.cricket.af/acb-news-info/559 |title=Afghanistan Squads for T20I Bangladesh Series and on-eoff India Test Announced |work=Afghanistan Cricket Board |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-date=29 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529204559/http://www.cricket.af/acb-news-info/559 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1148128.html |title=Afghanistan pick four spinners for inaugural Test |access-date=29 May 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo|date=29 May 2018 }} He made his Test debut for Afghanistan, against India, on 14 June 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1133983.html |title=Only Test, Afghanistan tour of India at Bengaluru, Jun 14-18 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=14 June 2018}} Muhammad Shahzad opened the batting for Afghanistan and scored 14 and 13 runs in the two innings, respectively. Afghanistan lost the one-sided Test within two days.{{Cite web |title=IND vs AFG, AFG in INDIA 2018, Only Test at Bengaluru, June 14 - 15, 2018 - Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afg-in-india-2018-1133249/india-vs-afghanistan-only-test-1133983/full-scorecard |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In February 2019, he was named in Afghanistan's Test squad for their one-off match against Ireland in India.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25943168/mujeeb-left-ireland-test-shahzad-t20is |title=Mujeeb left out for Ireland Test, Shahzad out of T20Is |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=7 February 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1048994 |title=No Mujeeb in Tests as Afghanistan announce squads for Ireland series |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=7 February 2019}}

Shahzad played in the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifiers, where Afghanistan gained ODI status after a win over Namibia in which Shahzad scored a decisive 73 runs.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/iccwcq2009/content/story/400167.html|title=Afghanistan achieve ODI status {{!}} Cricket|date=17 April 2009|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad made his ODI debut during Afghanistan's tour to the Netherlands on 30 August 2009 at VRA Cricket Ground.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13529/scorecard/415172/netherlands-vs-afghanistan-1st-odi-afghanistan-tour-of-netherlands-2009|title=Full Scorecard of Netherlands vs Afghanistan 1st ODI 2009 - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} In the second match of the series, he made Afghan cricketing history by becoming the first Afghan to score a century in a One Day International match, scoring 110 runs as Afghanistan won the match by 6 wickets.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/netherlands/content/story/422896.html|title=Shahzad century leads Afghanistan to victory {{!}} Cricket|date=1 September 2009|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad was a member of Afghanistan's 2010 ACC Trophy Elite winning squad, which defeated Nepal in the final by 95 runs.

In July 2010, Shahzad was part of Afghanistan's team in the 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division One tournament, and he scored two half-centuries (both against the Netherlands) to help Afghanistan finish 3rd in the tournament,{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wcldiv1/content/story/466476.html|title=ICC World Cricket League Division One: Kevin O'Brien takes Ireland to final {{!}} Cricket|date=7 July 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wcldiv1/content/story/466847.html|title=ICC WCL Division 1: Afghanistan secure third place {{!}} Cricket|date=10 July 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} and another century in the first ODI of the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/scotland/content/story/472751.html|title=Afghanistan blaze to thumping win {{!}} Cricket|date=16 August 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

In August 2013, in a series against Namibia, Shahzad scored a century and a half-century in two wins.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wcl-championship-2011-13/content/story/660835.html|title=Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nabi give Afghanistan huge win {{!}} Cricket|date=9 August 2013|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wcl-championship-2011-13/content/story/661457.html|title=All-round Afghanistan down Namibia {{!}} Cricket|date=11 August 2013|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

In February 2010, Shahzad made his Twenty20 International debut against Ireland as part of a tri-series in the lead-up to the 2010 World Twenty20 Qualifier.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8638/scorecard/440224/afghanistan-vs-ireland-2nd-match-sri-lanka-associates-t20-series-2009-10|title=Full Scorecard of Afghanistan vs Ireland, Sri Lanka Associates T20 Series, 2nd Match - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} Shahzad was then a key member of Afghanistan's squad for the World Twenty20 Qualifier, as he scored 65 in Afghanistan's successful run chase in the tournament final against Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/2010iccwt20/content/story/448128.html|title=Afghanistan crowned qualifying kings {{!}} Cricket|date=13 February 2010|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} He was later named in Afghanistan's squad for the World Twenty20.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/world-twenty20-2010/content/story/454425.html|title=Afghanistan name World Twenty20 squad {{!}} Cricket|date=1 April 2010|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

In the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Shahzad scored three half-centuries, including one in the tournament final against Ireland. Afghanistan lost the match but qualified for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 regardless.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/world-twenty20-qualifier-2012/content/story/557311.html|title=ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2011-12: Canada bounce back with win over PNG {{!}} Cricket|date=14 March 2012|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/world-twenty20-qualifier-2012/content/story/558062.html|title=ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2011-12: Afghanistan finish top after seventh win {{!}} Cricket|date=19 March 2012|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/world-twenty20-qualifier-2012/content/story/558630.html|title=Afghanistan v Ireland, World T20 Qualifier final: Paul Stirling whirlwind takes Ireland to title {{!}} Cricket|last=Siggins|first=Ger|date=24 March 2012|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} During the World Twenty20, he played in both of Afghanistan's matches against India and South Africa.

In a two-match Twenty20 series against Scotland in March 2013, Shahzad made scores of 55 and 46 and was named the player of the match in both games.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/12195/scorecard/592272/afghanistan-vs-scotland-xi-1st-t20i-scotland-tour-of-united-arab-emirates-2012-13|title=Full Scorecard of Afghanistan vs Scotland 1st T20I 2013 - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/12195/scorecard/592273/afghanistan-vs-scotland-xi-2nd-t20i-scotland-tour-of-united-arab-emirates-2012-13|title=Full Scorecard of Afghanistan vs Scotland 2nd T20I 2013 - Score Report|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} Shahzad then played in both the 2013 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. He went into the World Twenty20 in poor form, making consecutive scores of 7, 22, 0, 22 and 0, but he broke this form slump in Afghanistan's match against Hong Kong, when he scored 68 runs from 53 balls in a seven-wicket win.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/world-t20/content/story/728849.html|title=Mohammad Shahzad, Shafiqullah power Afghanistan to seven-wicket win {{!}} Cricket|last=Isam|first=Mohammad|date=18 March 2014|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad played two explosive innings in the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, making scores of 74 against the United Arab Emirates and 75 against Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-qualifier-2015/content/story/896887.html|title=Shahzad blitz gives Afghanistan second big win {{!}} Cricket|date=10 July 2015|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-qualifier-2015/content/story/898023.html|title=Shahzad leads Afghanistan to third straight win {{!}} Cricket|date=12 July 2015|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} His innings against Scotland was part of Afghanistan's highest ever score to that point (210) and his partnership with Asghar Afghan reached 110 runs in 63 balls, the biggest partnership for Afghanistan in Twenty20 cricket. He reached his half-century from 26 balls and finished with 75 off of 36 balls.

In April 2019, Shahzad was named in Afghanistan's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1181690.html |title=Hamid Hassan picked in Afghanistan's World Cup squad; Naib to captain |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=22 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1194077 |title=Asghar Afghan included in Gulbadin Naib-led World Cup squad |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=22 April 2019}} However, on 6 June 2019, he was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury, and was replaced by Ikram Ali Khil.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1238031 |title=Mohammad Shahzad out of CWC19, Ikram Ali Khil called up |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=7 June 2019}} Later in an interview, Shahzad said that he had no health problem but despite, that he was removed from the World Cup matches by the Afghan cricket board. He also said that it does not seem that he will return to the team.{{cite web|url=https://www.tolonews.com/sport/afghanistan%E2%80%99s-opener-shahzad-accuses-acb-%E2%80%98favoritism%E2%80%99 |title=Afghanistan's Opener Shahzad Accuses ACB Of 'Favoritism' |work=TOLOnews |access-date=9 June 2019}}

In September 2021, he was named in Afghanistan's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/118972/rashid-khan-steps-down-as-afghanistan-captain-over-team-selection |title=Rashid Khan steps down as Afghanistan captain over team selection|work=Cricbuzz |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021}} On 31 October 2021, in Afghanistan's T20 World Cup match against Namibia, Shahzad became the first player for Afghanistan to score 2,000 runs in T20I cricket.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-mens-t20-world-cup/mohammad-shahzad-becomes-first-afghan-player-to-reach-2000-t20i-runs/articleshow/87430757.cms |title=Mohammad Shahzad becomes first Afghan player to reach 2000 T20I runs |work=The Times of India |date=31 October 2021 |access-date=31 October 2021}}

In September 2016, Shahzad was signed by the Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) ahead of the draft for the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/17652665/chris-gayle-play-chittagong-vikings-bpl-2016-17|title=Gayle to play for Chittagong Vikings in BPL 2016-17|last=Isam|first=Mohammad|date=28 September 2016|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} On his BPL debut for the Riders, he scored 80 runs not out in a big nine-wicket win.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8653/report/1063056/|title=Shahzad, bowlers give Rangpur emphatic win|last=Isam|first=Mohammad|date=8 November 2016|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} In a match against the Barisal Bulls, Shahzad broke the record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in a BPL match with five (two catches and three stumpings), but this record was equalled by Umar Akmal in a match against the Riders later in the season. Three stumpings is also the most stumpings by a wicket-keeper in a BPL match.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8653/report/1063064/|title=Mithun and spinners topple Barisal|last=Isam|first=Mohammad|date=17 November 2016|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-premier-league-2016-17/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_innings.html?id=159;type=trophy|title=Bangladesh Premier League Cricket Team Records & Stats|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} During a match against the Rajshahi Kings, Shahzad made physical contact with Sabbir Rahman with his bat. He was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.1 of the BCB's Code of Conduct and was fined 30% of his match fee and suspended for two matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-premier-league-2016-17/content/story/1069520.html|title=Shahzad handed two-match suspension for physical altercation {{!}} Cricket|last=Isam|first=Mohammad|date=29 November 2016|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} Shahzad was Rangpur's leading run-scorer for the season with 350 runs from 11 matches and a strike-rate of 110.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-premier-league-2016-17/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=11593;team=5111;type=tournament|title=Bangladesh Premier League, 2016/17 - Rangpur Riders Cricket Team Records & Stats|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} In October 2018, he was named in the squad for the Chittagong Vikings team, following the draft for the BPL's 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.tigercricket.com.bd/2018/10/29/full-players-list-of-the-teams-following-players-draft-of-bpl-t20-2018-19/|title=Full players list of the teams following Players Draft of BPL T20 2018-19|work=Bangladesh Cricket Board|date=29 October 2018|access-date=29 October 2018}}

In September 2018, Shahzad was named in Paktia's squad in the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/afghanistan-premier-league-2018-all-you-need-to-know-from-the-player-draft/|title=Afghanistan Premier League 2018 – All you need to know from the player draft|work=CricTracker|date=10 September 2018|access-date=10 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24639625/icons-afghanistan-premier-league|title=Gayle, Afridi, Russell: icons in Afghanistan Premier League|last=Peesara|first=Anuraag|date=11 September 2018|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} Before the tournament, Shahzad was approached by a match-fixer, requesting he underperform in the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24780718/mohammad-shahzad-approached-underperform-afghan-t20-league|title=Mohammad Shahzad approached to underperform in Afghan T20 League|last=Kishore|first=Shashank|date=24 September 2018|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 344 runs in nine matches at a strike-rate of 174.61.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=12657;type=tournament|title=Afghanistan Premier League, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 October 2018}}

Due to spending time with Afghanistan's national team, Shahzad has not played much top-level domestic cricket in Afghanistan. He has only played two matches in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament, both in the 2015–16 season, before the tournament gained first-class status. He played for the Band-e-Amir Dragons, captaining the team in his first match.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10878/scorecard/913279/mis-ainak-region-vs-band-e-amir-region-afghanistan-alokozay-regional-4-day-tournament-2015-16|title=Full Scorecard of Mis Ainak Region vs Band-e-Amir Region, Afghanistan Regional 4-day Tournament - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10878/scorecard/913283/amo-region-vs-band-e-amir-region-afghanistan-alokozay-regional-4-day-tournament-2015-16|title=Full Scorecard of Amo Region vs Band-e-Amir Region, Afghanistan Regional 4-day Tournament - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} He also captained the Spin Ghar Tigers in the 2018 Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament. He scored two centuries in the tournament and was named the player of the match on both occasions,{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17954/scorecard/1151363/mis-ainak-region-vs-speen-ghar-region-ghazi-amanullah-khan-regional-one-day-tournament-2018|title=Full Scorecard of Mis Ainak Region vs Speen Ghar Region, Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17954/scorecard/1151368/speen-ghar-region-vs-kabul-region-ghazi-amanullah-khan-regional-one-day-tournament-2018|title=Full Scorecard of Speen Ghar Region vs Kabul Region, Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}} and he helped Spin Ghar reach the final, where they lost to the Boost Defenders.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17954/scorecard/1151377/speen-ghar-region-vs-boost-region-final-ghazi-amanullah-khan-regional-one-day-tournament-2018|title=Full Scorecard of Speen Ghar Region vs Boost Region, Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament, Final - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad played in the first three seasons of the Shpageeza Cricket League, Afghanistan's national Twenty20 competition, from 2014 to 2016. In 2014, he played for the Boost Defenders, but he then changed teams to the Kabul Eagles, who won the 2016 edition of the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/510/510974/Miscellaneous_Matches.html|title=Miscellaneous Matches played by Mohammad Shahzad|access-date=24 January 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} Shahzad scored 90 runs in the 2016 tournament final and was named the player of the match.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18041/scorecard/1041877/kabul-eagles-vs-mis-ainak-knights-final-shpageeza-cricket-league-2016|title=Full Scorecard of Kabul Eagles vs Mis Ainak Knights, Shpageeza Cricket League, Final - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

Shahzad has also played domestic cricket in Pakistan. In the 2010–11 season, he played three matches for Port Qasim Authority in Grade II of the PCB Patron's Trophy,{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/333/333963.html|title=Income Tax Department v Port Qasim Authority in 2010/11|access-date=24 January 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/333/333967.html|title=Port Qasim Authority v Sayid Paper in 2010/11|access-date=24 January 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/333/333970.html|title=Port Qasim Authority v United Bank Limited in 2010/11|access-date=24 January 2019|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} and he played two matches as a wicket-keeper and opening batsman for Habib Bank Limited in the 2015–16 National One Day Cup, scoring 43 runs against Khan Research Laboratories and 15 runs against National Bank of Pakistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/957801/scorecard/957921/habib-bank-limited-vs-khan-research-labs-pool-b-|title=Full Scorecard of Habib Bank Limited vs Khan Research Laboratories Pool B 2016 - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/957801/scorecard/957927/national-bank-of-pakistan-vs-habib-bank-limited-pool-b-|title=Full Scorecard of National Bank of Pakistan vs Habib Bank Limited Pool B 2016 - Score Report|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

He also has the record of the fastest 50 in T10 history where he scored 74 off just 16 balls.

• Shahzad set the record for the most dismissals as a wicketkeeper in a single T20I innings (5) and also set the new record for becoming the first wicketkeeper from any team to involve in 5 dismissals in a T20I.{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/slc-twenty20-15/content/records/283377.html|title=Records {{!}} Twenty20 Internationals {{!}} Wicketkeeping records {{!}} Most dismissals in an innings {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|work=Cricinfo|access-date=8 March 2017}}
• During Zimbabwe tour in 2016, Shahzad scored the best innings of his cricketing career. With his magnificent century of 118 off 68, Shahzad has the most Twenty20 International Player of the Match awards by an affiliate member with 8 T20I Player of the Match awards.{{cite web | url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283472.html | title=Most player-of-the-match awards in T20Is | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | access-date=8 March 2016}} His score is currently the second highest T20I score by an associate player, after Hong Kong's Babar Hayat's 122 runs.{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan-v-zimbabwe-2015-16/content/story/960227.html |title=Belligerent Shahzad ton propels Afghanistan to series win |publisher=Cricinfo |date=10 January 2016 |access-date=10 January 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.fastcricket.com/entry/956/ | title=Highest Score by a batsman in Twenty20 (T20) Cricket | publisher=Fast cricket | access-date=8 March 2016}} Following this innings, his position in the ICC Player Rankings for T20I batsmen rose from 20th to 8th, his first time breaking into the top ten.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/960465.html|title=Shahzad, Dawlat break into ICC top 10 rankings {{!}} Cricket|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}
• On 8 March 2016, Shahzad became the first associate player to score 10 fifty-plus scores in T20Is. With his 50 against Scotland in a group match of 2016 ICC World Twenty20, he achieved his 10th T20I score more than fifty. This is twice more than the next highest among players from associate teams (Stephan Myburgh & Paul Stirling has 5 fifty plus scores).
• At the end of 2016, Shahzad was named the ICC's Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/18330972/ashwin-named-icc-cricketer-year-test-player-year|title=Ashwin named ICC Cricketer of the Year, Test Player of the Year|date=22 December 2016|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}
• On 20 January 2017, during Desert T20 Challenge, Shahzad, as the first cricket player in history, scored two half-centuries in two separate international matches on the same day (80 against Oman and 52* against Ireland).{{cite news |url=http://www.cricket.com.au/news/mohammad-shahzad-world-record-two-fifites-in-separate-international-matches-afghanistan-desert-t20/2017-01-22 |title= Incredible Shahzad blasts way into history |work=cricket.com.au |access-date=22 January 2017}}
• During the T20I series v Ireland, Shahzad became only the second player in T20I history to hit 200 fours after Tillakaratne Dilshan. He is in the third place for hitting most fours (200).{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284021.html|title=Records {{!}} Twenty20 Internationals {{!}} Batting records {{!}} Most fours in career {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|work=Cricinfo|access-date=14 March 2017}}
• Shahzad hit the joint fastest half-century in T10 history when he reached his half century off 12 balls for Rajputs in 2018 T10 League.{{cite web |last1=Saha |first1=Rajdeep |title=Chris Gayle smashes joint-fastest fifty in Abu Dhabi T10 League |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/chris-gayle-smashes-joint-fastest-070142635.html |website=Yahoo |access-date=4 February 2021 |date=3 February 2021}}

On 7 April 2009, during the 2009 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, Shahzad was reprimanded by the ICC for showing dissent at an umpire's decision. After he was given out leg before wicket, Shahzad showed his bat to the umpire to indicate that he thought he had hit the ball. He was not suspended, but he was warned about his future behaviour.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/iccwcq2009/content/story/398783.html|title=Afghanistan's Karim Khan suspended for one match {{!}} Cricket|date=7 April 2009|access-date=23 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

On 29 November 2016, during the 2016 Bangladesh Premier League, Shahzad was suspended by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for a physical altercation with Rajshahi Kings player Sabbir Rahman. During the fourth over of the second innings, while Shahzad was batting, Shahzad extended his bat as Rahman ran past. The incident came after the two players had been involved in a heated conversation in the first innings. Shahzad was found guilty of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game. He was suspended for two matches and fined 30% of his match fee.

On 13 April 2017, Shahzad was charged by the ICC for violating the anti-doping code. After testing his sample on 17 January 2017 at ICCA Academy in Dubai, it was found to contain a prohibited substance, Clenbuterol. Therefore, he was provisionally suspended 12 days after issuing the notice of charges being laid on 26 April 2017.{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/afghanistan/content/story/1092057.html |title=Shahzad charged for doping violation |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=14 April 2017}} On 30 April 2017, ICC confirmed the provisional suspension of Shahzad. Shahzad decided not to challenge the provisional suspension and had to face disciplinary proceeding in accordance with the process set down in the ICC Anti-Doping Code.{{cite news | url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/94307/afghanistan-cricket-team-batsman-mohammad-shahzad-provisionally-suspended-by-icc-after-doping-violation |title=Mohammad Shahzad provisionally suspended for doping violation |work=Cricbuzz |access-date=30 April 2017}} In December 2017, the ICC suspended Shahzad from all cricket for a period of twelve months,{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/531624 |title=Afghanistan's Shahzad suspended for doping violation |access-date=7 December 2017 |work=International Cricket Council}} and he was eligible to resume playing from 17 January 2018.

On 8 March 2018, during the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, Shahzad was suspended by the ICC after being found guilty of causing damage to part of the ground during a match. After being dismissed, Shahzad slammed his bat into the pitch adjacent to the pitch being used and left a noticeable divet in the pitch. He was fined 15% of his match fee. As this was Shahzad's second violation of the ICC's code of conduct within a two-year period, (he had been fined the entirety of his match fee for an incident in a Twenty20 against the United Arab Emirates in December 2016) he was given a two-match suspension.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22677854/mohammad-shahzad-suspended-world-cup-qualifier-matches|title=Mohammad Shahzad suspended from World Cup Qualifier matches|date=8 March 2018|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

In April 2018, Shahzad was fined and asked to relocate by the Afghanistan Cricket Board due to living in Peshawar, a city in Pakistan near its border with Afghanistan, and participating in a local club-level cricket competition. The ACB had introduced a strict policy on player residence, stating that players were not allowed to travel to other countries without permission, so Shahzad and other players were given one month to relocate to Afghanistan or risk having their contracts terminated. Additionally, by participating in a cricket competition without the ACB's permission, he had also violated the ACB's player code of conduct.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23170364/mohammad-shahzad-fined-asked-relocate-afghanistan|title=Shahzad fined, asked to relocate to Afghanistan|last=Farooq|first=Umar|date=15 April 2018|access-date=24 January 2019|work=ESPNcricinfo}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cricinfo}}

{{Afghanistan Squad 2019 Cricket World Cup}}

{{ICC Associate player of the year}}

{{Chittagong Vikings squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shahzad, Mohammad}}

Category:1991 births

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