Ahead of an important Champions Trophy match, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi noted the confidence gained from their previous World Cup victory over England. Both teams seek a win to remain competitive after losing their first games. England acknowledges Afghanistan’s progress, while also focusing on their gameplay amidst calls for a boycott over political issues.
In Lahore, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi emphasized confidence derived from their notable victory over England during the 2023 World Cup ahead of an important Champions Trophy match. With both teams seeking a win to stay in contention for the semi-finals, yesterday’s match between Australia and South Africa, which ended without any play, heightened the stakes. Shahidi’s squad previously stunned England by 69 runs in New Delhi, showcasing their rapid progress in white-ball cricket. He stated, “We will take that confidence with us from what happened in the 2023 World Cup. But tomorrow is a new day, and we will try our best to beat them again.”
England’s captain Jos Buttler recognized Afghanistan’s improvements and highlighted their competitive nature, calling for his team to focus on executing their own playing strategy. Buttler noted that Afghanistan has developed a unique style, particularly through their spinners like Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, though he maintained that the England squad would prioritize their performance. After suffering a significant loss to South Africa in their tournament opener, Afghanistan hopes to improve. Shahidi expressed optimism about their capability to exploit what he anticipates as a favorable pitch for spin bowlers.
Shahidi remarked, “When we bat first, that gives us more chance. But in the South Africa game, the wicket was supportive for fast bowlers. I didn’t see even one ball turn. The world knows we have quality spinners. Hopefully, we have some support for our spinners in tomorrow’s game.” Buttler acknowledged the talents of Afghanistan’s spinners, but also expressed comfort with his own team’s balance between spin and pace options.
The upcoming match comes amidst external pressure on England to boycott over the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women, a demand that the England and Wales Cricket Board has resisted. Shahidi dismissed questions regarding this controversy, stating, “We are cricket players, we are sportsmen. What we control is what we do on the ground; we don’t worry about what is happening off the ground. So our confidence is good.”
Afghanistan heads into their Champions Trophy clash against England with confidence stemming from a previous World Cup upset. Both teams require a win to maintain their semi-final ambitions, especially after mutual losses in initial matches. While England respects Afghanistan’s advancements, they focus on their game strategy amidst external pressures not to compete. Shahidi emphasizes their commitment to perform, setting the stage for a compelling clash in Lahore.
Original Source: www.france24.com
