Dale Steyn backed Afghanistan to win an ICC tournament in the next decade if they develop patience in their gameplay. Although they recently achieved a victory over England, they struggled in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Experts like Wasim Jaffer pointed out issues in batting consistency, particularly during critical tournament moments, suggesting improvements in fundamentals are crucial for future success.
Dale Steyn has expressed confidence that Afghanistan could clinch an ICC tournament title within the next decade, provided they cultivate patience in their gameplay. Following their thrilling victory over England in Lahore, Afghanistan faltered in the 2025 Champions Trophy, losing their opener to South Africa and struggling against Australia before rain interrupted the match. Steyn emphasized that current players often seek immediate results, which hampers their ability to build innings and take wickets steadily.
The former cricketer noted that many players might benefit from four-day games to develop patience, stating, “Patience is one of the biggest things that Afghanistan players need to learn, and once they get that down, honestly, in the next decade, they could win ICC tournaments, for sure.” Wasim Jaffer, another cricket expert, acknowledged Afghanistan’s promising progress but highlighted issues in their batting consistency, especially when facing critical situations in tournaments.
Ibrahim Zadran shone with a remarkable 177 against England, yet Sediqullah Atal failed to convert his promising 85 against Australia into a substantial score. Jaffer pointed out that Afghanistan’s top order needs to perform cohesively, mentioning that key players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz had subpar outings during crucial matches. He remarked, “Their batting needs to improve as well. We say that they are not a big chasing team.”
Jaffer commended Afghanistan’s growth in international cricket, referencing their progress to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup and victories over significant teams. However, he remarked that starting tournaments effectively is critical, as one loss can jeopardize their chances. Citing improvements needed in batting, he noted the inconsistencies among their middle-order batsmen, underscoring the importance of reliable performances in future competitions.
In conclusion, Dale Steyn believes that Afghanistan has the potential to win ICC tournaments in the next decade if players learn to exercise patience in their game strategies. Key experts like Wasim Jaffer support this sentiment, emphasizing the need for improved batting consistency and early tournament performance. Afghanistan’s recent achievements signal their growth, but addressing these issues will be essential for future success in international cricket. With a focus on developing fundamentals beyond the T20 format, Afghanistan could enhance their performance and achieve their goals.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
