After a convincing victory over Sri Lanka in a World Cup match on Monday, Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, attributed his team’s confidence to a significant run chase they successfully completed against Pakistan. In their latest match, Afghanistan chased down a target of 242 against Sri Lanka with ease, losing only three wickets, marking their first World Cup triumph against the Islanders.
Shahidi was referring to Afghanistan’s remarkable eight-wicket win over Babar Azam’s Pakistan side in Chennai on October 23. In that memorable encounter, they chased down a challenging target of 282, losing just two wickets. This victory served as a monumental confidence booster for the Afghan team.
“The Pakistan chase gave us a lot of confidence and belief that we can chase any kind of target. We started really well in our bowling performance against Sri Lanka, and the chase was executed very professionally. I am thrilled with our performance,” Shahidi declared during the post-match presentation.
Hashmatullah Shahidi Acknowledges Afghanistan’s Head Coach Jonathan Trott
The Afghan skipper emphasized the pivotal role of their coach, Jonathan Trott, in instilling a winning mindset within the team.
“Coaches are always a source of positivity. We put in a lot of hard work before the World Cup, and at present, the coaching and management staff are tirelessly working to boost our confidence. Before the Pakistan game, Coach Trott’s words significantly altered my mindset and that of the entire team,” he added.
Shahidi himself played a crucial role in their triumph, scoring an unbeaten fifty and forming a stellar 111-run partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai for the unbroken fourth-wicket alliance. This partnership steered Afghanistan to victory with aplomb.
With their newfound confidence and successful run chases under their belt, Afghanistan is poised to face the Netherlands on Friday in Lucknow. The team’s remarkable performances, driven by a transformed mindset and dedicated coaching, position them as formidable contenders in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. As they continue their campaign, Afghanistan’s journey promises excitement and promise in equal measure.
This is also the first time Afghanistan has won three matches in a World Cup. Before this, Afghanistan only won one match in World Cup history, and this time they have already won three matches. They stand fifth in the current points table ahead of the likes of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and England.
