The 34-year-old entertainer from Afghanistan, Mohammad Shahzad has been retained by Chitwan Tigers for the upcoming season of Everest Premier League (EPL). The services of star batsman was secured for the new edition before COVID forced the EPL to be suspended. Shahzad will reprise its connotation with Tigers. One of the most glorified six-hitter, the wicket-keeper batsman has a significant contribution in Afghanistan’s rise as a formidable cricket unit and has a special place in its folklore. The right-handed top order batsman has played a starring role in each of Afghanistan's World T20 Qualifier campaigns to secure four consecutive berths at the World T20, beginning in 2010. His abilities were not limited to short-format cricket only. Shahzad engineered one of the greatest heists in first-class history, scoring a fourth-innings 214 not out to overhaul a target of 494 in a 2010 Intercontinental Cup match against Canada. At the end of 2016 he was named the ICC Associate & Affiliate Cricketer of the Year, the first Afghan to claim the honor. In January 2017, Shahzad achieved a rare feat of scoring two T20I half-centuries in a day, leading Afghanistan to victories over Oman and Ireland in the morning semi-final and evening final of the inaugural Desert T20 Challenge in Dubai. He was one of the eleven cricketers to play in Afghanistan's first ever Test match, against India, in June 2018. As a most evident template of one-man army, his swashbuckling century against India during the Asia Cup, 2018, out of the team total of 131 runs at the time displayed his destructive capabilities. Shahzad was dismissed for 124 with 11 fours and 7 sixes. Afghanistan went on to score 252 in the match and tie the match against mighty India. He has played 84 One Day Internationals with a top score of 131 not out including six centuries and 14 half centuries in the format. His highest Twenty20 International score is 118 not out having represented Afghanistan in 65 matches. Shahzad has experiences of playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Abu Dhabi T10 and the Afghanistan Premier League previously. The International Cricket Council (ICC) EPL 2021 is all set to take place from September 25th to October 09th. The dates were approved by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and preparations are underway for Nepal’s biggest sporting event. “We are thrilled to continue from where we left last time. His addition, a bonafide international cricket star, will add the much needed exuberance and experience in Tiger’s young batting lineup.“ -Binita Chaudhary Bhattarai, Operations Director, Chitwan Tigers “Can’t wait to hit some sixes at Kathmandu. The Nepal fans are one of the most passionate ones in the world. I look forward to don the Tigers’ colors and entertain everyone.” –Mohammad Shahzad, Player, Chitwan Tigers