Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expresses confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy match against England, motivated by their upset victory in the 2023 World Cup. Both teams seek a crucial win after opening losses, emphasizing the importance of this virtual knockout fixture. Shahidi highlights the potential of their spin bowlers, while England’s captain, Jos Buttler, respects Afghanistan as a competitive team.
Afghanistan’s cricket captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed confidence ahead of their match against England in the Champions Trophy, drawing motivation from their shocking victory over the defending champions during the 2023 World Cup. Both teams are seeking a vital win to remain in contention for the semi-finals after losing their opening games.
The upcoming match is crucial, particularly after Australia and South Africa’s fixture was washed out, leaving both teams in need of a decisive win. In their previous World Cup encounter, Afghanistan stunned England by 69 runs, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.
Shahidi emphasized their readiness, stating, “We worked hard to achieve at this level and are ready to play every game in a positive way. We will take that confidence with us from the 2023 World Cup. However, tomorrow is a new day, and we will try our best to beat them again.”
England’s captain, Jos Buttler, acknowledged Afghanistan’s progress but stressed the importance of focusing on their own performance. He noted, “Obviously a really competitive side… they have been performing really well and getting better over the years, and I give them lots of respect.”
Afghanistan’s first match in the Champions Trophy resulted in a significant loss to South Africa, where they were bowled out for 208 after conceding 315 runs. Shahidi remains optimistic about their chances against England, particularly with the anticipated conditions favoring their spin bowlers.
He mentioned, “When we bat first, that gives us more chance. In the last World Cup, we beat teams batting second. But in the South Africa game, the wicket was supportive for fast bowling, and our spinners did not see support.”
Despite external pressures, including calls for England to boycott the match over political issues, Shahidi stated that their focus remains on the game itself. He remarked, “We are cricket players. What we control is what we do on the ground; we do not worry about what is happening off the ground.”
In summary, Afghanistan aims to leverage their past success against England in the Champions Trophy to secure a crucial victory amid a challenging tournament. Both teams face pressure to perform after unsuccessful starts, with Afghanistan relying on their spinners and England focusing on their own strategies. Off-field issues have not deterred the Afghan team’s resolve as they prepare for this significant clash.
Original Source: www.france24.com
