Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is confident of defeating South Africa in their Champions Trophy debut on February 21 in Karachi. Afghanistan had beaten South Africa 2-1 in an ODI series in Sharjah last year, marking their first series win against a top-five team. Shahidi believes this past success gives his team confidence.
“Between 2019 and now, there’s a big difference. We recently beat them in Sharjah, so we are confident and not under pressure,” Shahidi said. Despite missing young spinner AM Ghazanfar due to injury, Afghanistan has a strong spin attack with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Nabi, and Nangeylia Kharote. Shahidi also expects strong support from the Karachi crowd, including Afghan and Pashtun fans.
This is Afghanistan’s first Champions Trophy appearance, but Shahidi insists they are not just here to participate. “We are here to compete and aim to win the final,” he said. Afghanistan’s recent tournament performances boost their confidence— they made the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finals and finished sixth in the 2023 ODI World Cup, securing their Champions Trophy spot.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma acknowledged Afghanistan’s quality, noting their experienced players and recent win over South Africa. “We won’t underestimate them. We know what to expect,” Bavuma said. He emphasized the need for his bowlers to stay disciplined on batting-friendly pitches and for batters to post high scores.
Shahidi also expressed hope for Afghanistan hosting international matches soon. He highlighted the country’s cricketing infrastructure, including academies and stadiums, but acknowledged security concerns have kept teams away. “Hopefully, one day, a team will visit Afghanistan, and the packed stadiums will showcase our love for cricket,” he said.
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