Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of the Afghan cricket team, addressed a room full of reporters in Dharamsala as a warm-up for their World Cup run in 2023. Shahidi’s declaration that the team was free of the specter of their disappointing World Cup performance in 2019 reverberated with resoluteness. He declared with confidence that they hope to make this event legendary for the citizens of their nation.
The 28-year-old, who took over as the ODI and Test skipper in May, radiated optimism that signaled a striking improvement in the Afghan cricket establishment. The team appeared prepared for a revitalized assault on the cricketing globe, having recovered completely from their previous globe Cup disaster. When discussing the same, he stated,
“That is the past that is gone…three years. As a team and as a leader, I feel very confident going into this World Cup because I believe our perspective has changed. For the people of our nation, I believe we will make this tournament historic,” Hashmatullah Shahidi declared.
Hashmatullah Shahidi is certain that she is familiar with Indian circumstances.
The squad’s familiarity with the playing environment is a crucial factor in the Afghan captain’s confidence. Many Afghan athletes have participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL), thus deepening their understanding of the nuances of the sport. India has become more than just a second home to those players, even if they haven’t participated in the IPL. “As you know, our players participate heavily in the IPL, but even those who don’t are aware of the conditions because India was our home,” the southpaw continued.
The Afghan team has shown growth and resiliency throughout its historic World Cup run. They have gone a long way since they first competed in the ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2015. They hope to write a new chapter in their cricketing history with the captain’s unwavering faith and the team’s unrelenting resolve.
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