Afghanistan Ready for Champions Trophy Says Skipper Shaheedi

KARACHI: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi exuded confidence in his team’s ability to shine in their debut appearance at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of their opening match against South Africa on Friday, Shahidi emphasized Afghanistan’s progress over the years and asserted that his side is well-prepared for the prestigious eight-team tournament.

He dismissed any notion of pressure despite South Africa holding a slight edge in their head-to-head encounters.

“A lot has changed since 2019, and recently, we defeated them 2-1 in Sharjah. That gives us confidence, and we don’t feel any pressure because our focus is solely on what we can achieve in this tournament,” Shahidi stated.

“Our team is fully ready, and we are concentrating on ourselves, so there’s no added pressure,” he added.

Addressing Afghanistan’s winless run in the warm-up matches, Shahidi clarified that the team prioritized providing players with exposure to adapt to the conditions rather than focusing on results.

“Our goal was to give everyone an opportunity, help them adjust, and ensure they are well-prepared. The results were not our primary concern,” he explained.

Shahidi further expressed his belief that Afghanistan is well-equipped to reach the knockout stage.

“We are completely prepared, and I have full confidence in our team. The conditions suit us, and as captain and leader, I firmly believe we can progress to the next round,” he said.

“We can only put in the hard work, and I know we have the potential to advance. Hopefully, we will achieve that goal,” he concluded.