Champions Trophy: Afghanistan's Shahidi Aims for Title Glory Against South Africa
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Synopsis
Karachi, Feb 20 (NationPress) Ahead of their Champions Trophy opener against South Africa, Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expresses confidence in securing a win. The team enters the tournament following four consecutive ODI series victories against Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Key Takeaways
- Afghanistan seeks their first ICC title.
- They have recently won four ODI series in a row.
- Shahidi emphasizes confidence and momentum.
- Local support in Karachi boosts team morale.
- Hope for future international matches in Afghanistan.
Karachi, Feb 20 (NationPress) As they gear up for their first encounter in the Champions Trophy against South Africa this Friday, Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expresses his determination to kick off the tournament successfully in their quest for their first ICC title. The team comes into the event following a streak of four straight ODI series triumphs over Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan showcased solid performances in their recent ICC tournaments, making a remarkable impression during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where they defeated three former champions - England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They also advanced to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup held last year in the United States and the West Indies. “We are not just here to take part in this tournament. We are fully committed to winning this event,” Shahidi stated during a press conference prior to facing South Africa on Friday.
“Over the past two years, we have played high-quality cricket, and this is a great opportunity for us. The players have gained invaluable experience, and the conditions are favorable for our game. We aim to begin with a victory and maintain that momentum throughout the tournament.”
“We recently triumphed over South Africa in Sharjah with a 2-1 series win, which boosts our confidence. We are not feeling any pressure; our focus is solely on our performance in this tournament. I truly believe our team is prepared, and we are concentrating on what we can achieve,” he remarked.
Shahidi also noted the support from local fans in Karachi, saying, “Many Afghans live here, along with a significant number of Pashtuns who support us. During our training yesterday, we felt the energy from the crowd cheering for us, which gives us confidence and motivation.”
The Afghanistan captain expressed hope for the future of international cricket in his home country. “I want to emphasize that there are facilities in Afghanistan. We have cricket academies, a High-Performance Centre in both Kabul and Jalalabad, and stadiums across every region. However, security concerns have hindered international teams from visiting. I remain hopeful that soon, a team will come to Afghanistan, and the fans will show their enthusiasm.”
He shared, “Domestic matches attract massive crowds, often exceeding 50,000 spectators for finals. I am confident that any international team visiting Afghanistan will be met with thousands of eager fans at the stadium, as the passion for cricket runs deep in our culture.”
