Afghanistan’s cricket team holds confidence from their 2023 World Cup victory over England as they prepare for a key Champions Trophy match in Lahore. Both teams seek to revive their tournament hopes following opening match losses. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi anticipates better performance from his side, particularly their spinners, while dismissing political pressures surrounding the game.
Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi emphasized the confidence his team derives from their historic victory over England in the 2023 World Cup, where they defeated the reigning champions by 69 runs in New Delhi. This upcoming Champions Trophy clash in Lahore is crucial for both teams, as they seek to keep their semi-final aspirations alive after losing their opening matches.
Despite a disheartening start to the Champions Trophy with a 107-run loss to South Africa, Shahidi remains optimistic about his team’s performance. He acknowledged the challenges faced in the previous game, where Afghanistan’s bowlers were ineffective against a strong South African batting lineup that posted 315. Notably, ace spinner Rashid Khan struggled, finishing wicketless while conceding 59 runs.
Shahidi believes that the conditions at the Gaddafi Stadium could improve Afghanistan’s chances, particularly for their spinners, who have shown promise in previous matches. He mentioned, “When we bat first that gives us more chance,” explaining that pitch conditions favor spin bowling. He remarked on the difficulties faced in the previous match where there was no support for spin.
Amid growing political pressure in the UK for England to boycott the upcoming match due to the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women, Shahidi dismissed such concerns. He stated, “We are cricket players, we are sportsmen. What we control is what we do on the ground.” This reflects his focus on performance and confidence, emphasizing the team’s ethos of preparing for the task at hand rather than external political issues.
In summary, Afghanistan is fueled by their recent success against England as they prepare for an important match in the Champions Trophy. Despite a rough start in the tournament, their captain remains hopeful about their prospects, especially with improved conditions for spinners. Outside pressures have been acknowledged, but the team’s focus remains on the game itself.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
