3 World Cup-bound wicket-keepers who idolize MS Dhoni

#2 Mohammad Shahzad

Mohammad Shahzad batting in an ICC World Twenty20 2016 match

Afghanistan cricket team has many talented cricketers in their ranks. Their fiery wicket-keeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad is one of them. He is someone whom they would want in their World Cup squad.

The quickfire batsman has more than 2000 ODI runs and a high score of 131. The 31-year-old is also an avid fan of MS Dhoni. He once shared his experience of watching MS Dhoni bat in an interview:

"There was a time when India were playing a final in the West Indies. Dhoni was batting at the end of innings and some 15 odd runs were required in the last over. It was Ramzan at that time as well. Around 3 to 4 minutes were left for Iftaar and food was in front of me. It is said at that time whatever is asked from Allah he grants us. Dhoni was unfit for a couple of games earlier and was only playing the final against Sri Lanka. 15 were needed of the last over. I prayed to Allah that India win this match and Dhoni finishes the match. So, I had prayed and delayed my food for a while then. So, I can delay sleep as well,"

Whenever Afghanistan plays against India, Shahzad makes sure to meet Dhoni in person and talk to him about cricket and some regular stuff about life. The hard-hitting batsman has even attempted MS Dhoni's helicopter shot for quite a few times.