ICC World Cup | I said before the match that I will bat like Sachin Tendulkar, says Ibrahim Zadran

Ibrahim Zadran, Afghan player, spent time with Sachin Tendulkar on eve of World Cup match, taking batting lessons. His 129-ball knock of 129 helped Afghanistan post a challenging 291/5. Zadran thanked Tendulkar for tips and energy, saying he'd work hard for the tournament. He rued losing wickets in middle overs, stopping them from reaching 300. Thanks to Tendulkar, Zadran achieved Afghanistan's first World Cup hundred.

Among all Afghan players, Ibrahim Zadran spent the longest time with Sachin Tendulkar on the eve of their World Cup match against Australia, taking batting lessons from the all-time great.

The one-on-one chat with the master had its effect, for the 21-year-old opener on November 7 became the first player from Afghanistan to record a hundred in a World Cup match. Needless to say, Zadran thanked the batting great for his invaluable tips moments after reaching the landmark.

Thanks to his brilliant knock of 129, Afghanistan posted a challenging 291 for five against an attack comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa.

That he turned up in casuals on the match eve, instead of the training kit, didn't matter.

"I had a good chat with Sachin Tendulkar. He shared his experience, and I said before the match that I will bat like Sachin Tendulkar. He gave me a lot of energy and confidence," he told the broadcaster following his 143-ball innings.

Zadran's knock contained eight fours and three sixes, as it allowed Afghanistan to post a fighting total.

"I am feeling great to score Afghanistan's maiden hundred in (World Cup). I worked really hard for this tournament.