Afghanistan is set to face Australia in a crucial ODI, needing a victory to secure a semi-final spot. They aim to leverage their recent win against England while focusing on team strategy rather than individual performances, such as Glenn Maxwell’s past success. The captain’s confidence in their game plan and recent players’ form may play a significant role in this high-stakes match.
Afghanistan faces Australia in a critical ODI match with a semi-final spot at stake, following their recent victory against England. The last encounter between the two teams saw Glenn Maxwell score a landmark double century, rescuing Australia from a precarious position at 91 for 7 while chasing 292 runs. Nonetheless, the Afghan players stress that their strategy will focus on the entire Australian team, rather than on Maxwell alone.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s captain, emphasized their approach, stating, “You think we will come only to play with Maxwell? We have planning for all Australian team.” Afghanistan’s confidence stems from their previous victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup last year, where Maxwell’s performance was notable but not decisive.
Anticipating the upcoming match, Shahidi remarked, “We will try to play positive game – just like we defeated England today…” Their mindset is to avoid the pressure of semi-final qualification and focus on executing their game plan against Australia. They have demonstrated strong performances, including Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive innings of 177 against England.
Zadran also has positive memories from past matches against Australia, having scored significant runs in both ODIs and T20s. “It’s never easy for a player to return from injury and make such a strong comeback,” Shahidi expressed regarding Zadran’s excellent form.
Thus far, the conditions in Lahore have proven favorable for high-scoring matches, with teams surpassing 300 runs in both innings. Afghan bowler Azmatullah Omarzai was instrumental in the victory against England, showcasing strong bowling skills. Shahidi highlighted that their spinners have also performed well, noting the importance of their contribution under the current conditions.
In conclusion, Afghanistan’s upcoming match against Australia is pivotal for their aspirations of reaching the semi-finals. With a focus on teamwork rather than individual players, they aim to replicate their success against England. Key performances, especially from Ibrahim Zadran and the spinners, will be crucial as they prepare for this high-stakes encounter.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
