After their spirit-boosting victory in the series opener at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi declared on Friday that his team is optimistic about securing their first ODI series victory over Bangladesh.
Bangladesh will be aiming to even the series after the visitors won the first game by 17 runs in the D/L method on the strength of a determined bowling effort combined with batting appropriately for the day in the rain-interrupted game.
Obviously, yes. We have a great opportunity and a great chance to take 2-0 tomorrow. Morale is high, as I previously stated. Despite the fact that I anticipate them attacking us severely tomorrow, we are prepared for anything. Our goal tomorrow is to win the series, so we’ll do our best to deliver.
It’s difficult to compete against Bangladesh in Bangladesh. However, because we won the first game, there is a positive vibe in the locker room and everyone is optimistic about the rest of the series. Insha’Allah, we will do everything in our power to win the series, he added, adding that Tamim Iqbal’s absence, who is unable to play in the series after appearing in the first game due to his retirement, will also benefit their cause.
A day after he made his announcement of retirement, Tamim changed his mind, but he won’t be participating in the rest of the series.
“Definitely, yes. He was one of Bangladesh’s best players. He has performed well in this format in the past and is a more seasoned player and captain. Therefore, it will benefit us greatly. We will do our best in the game tomorrow,” he stated, looking forward to it.
Shahidi claimed that the wicket, which often allows for easy runs to be scored at the port city, played somewhat differently in the first game of the series.
The same team receives the same amount of luck. Both sides will use the same wicket. You need to play solid cricket at the end of the day. The outcome will favor any team that does well in cricket, he claimed.
“We don’t dwell on these issues too much. We have no control over it. We can only win by playing well, so that’s what we’ll try to accomplish tomorrow,” he continued.
The pitch is such that it’s impossible to predict the outcome of it even one day in advance. You may definitely borrow ideas from it. You are somewhat aware of it if you see the pitch. We played extremely well in the previous game, and now we’ll look at what the rest of the team needs. I’m not allowed to reveal who is or is not participating,” he added, adding that he expects to use Fazalhaq Farooqi in the second game despite the fact that he was unable to fulfill his obligation in the first game due to cramping.
“Because of how hot it is here, I believe he got cramps. Inshallah, he’s good, and we’ll see him in the nets today,” he said.
“Sure, why not? Tomorrow presents a significant opportunity for us to go 2-0. The morale is really high, as I already stated. We are prepared for any challenge tomorrow, even though I know they will come at us hard. Tomorrow, we’ll do everything we can to take the series, he stated.
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