Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy match against England, urging his team to focus on present challenges rather than past victories. Following a defeat to South Africa, he stressed the necessity for improved batting performance. He also highlighted the favorable conditions in Lahore for their spin attack and the value of Younis Khan’s coaching experience.
LAHORE: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is focused on their upcoming ICC Champions Trophy match against England, deemphasizing their previous World Cup victory and signaling a need for better batting performance. Shahidi remarked that despite their notable history against England, they are treating this match as a fresh opportunity. “We played a great game against England in 2023, but that is history now.” He recognizes the challenge England poses, affirming that his team is prepared to face it.
After their recent 107-run defeat to South Africa, Afghanistan finds themselves needing a victory in this crucial game. Shahidi pinpointed batting as an area requiring significant improvement, especially in the initial overs. He stated, “We didn’t play well against South Africa, especially in batting. We didn’t start well in the first 20 overs. If we want to reach the semifinals, we have to put in the hard work on the field.”
Shahidi expressed hope that the conditions in Lahore will better support Afghanistan’s spin attack, unlike the previous match in Karachi. He noted that their spinners struggled to make an impact, saying, “Our spinners didn’t get much help in Karachi, but we are hopeful that conditions in Lahore will be in our favour.” He emphasized their spinners’ abilities should be highlighted when conditions are favorable.
The Afghan captain mentioned the influence of Younis Khan, a legendary figure in Pakistani cricket, who is now offering guidance to Afghanistan’s coaching staff. Shahidi praised Khan’s experience, saying, “Younis Khan is a legend, and we are trying to benefit from his experience. When he speaks, everyone listens.” This expertise can be pivotal given the familiarity with local pitches and conditions that Khan brings to the team.
In summary, Hashmatullah Shahidi’s leadership emphasizes a shift in focus from past achievements to current challenges. With a pressing need to enhance batting performance and the support of seasoned coach Younis Khan, Afghanistan prepares for a critical encounter against England. They hope to leverage favorable conditions in Lahore to achieve their goals in the tournament.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
