Ahead of their upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 match, Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, has delivered a clear message to South Africa. The National Stadium in Karachi will host this much anticipated match on Friday, February 20.
When questioned about the pressure his team might face, Hashmatullah Shahidi dismisses any concerns with assurance. As evidence of their potential, he cited Afghanistan’s recent series victory over South Africa in Sharjah. Afghanistan defeated South Africa 2-1 to record their first-ever ODI series victory against a side ranked in the top five.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is confident of beating South Africa on their Champions Trophy debut in Karachi on February 21, especially after having defeated them 2-1 in the ODI series in Sharjah last year. It was also Afghanistan’s first ODI series win against a top-five ranked nation.
Afghanistan’s phenomenal performances in recent years
Afghanistan has emerged as a significant contender in white-ball cricket over the past few years, delivering impressive performances in both the ODI and T20 World Cups. Their landmark wins against Pakistan and England in the recent tournaments have put them in the running for a semi-final spot.
In the latest T20 World Cup in 2024, Afghanistan reached a remarkable milestone by making it to the semi-finals of an ICC major event for the first time, surprising the strong Australian team in the Super 8s. This achievement has certainly boosted their confidence and heightened expectations for their upcoming participation in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan have been on a roll in recent years in white-ball formats as they put up remarkable performances in the last ODI and T20 World Cups. They were in contention to reach the semi-finals having registered historic wins against Pakistan and England. In the recent T20 World Cup 2024, they made it to the semi finals of an ICC major event for the first time as they stunned Australia in the Super 8s.
The Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi dismissed any worries about his squad, stating that they will draw strength from their recent series victory against South Africa in Sharjah. Afghanistan defeated South Africa 2-1 to record their first victory in an ODI series against a team ranked in the top five.
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi sends stern warning to South Africa ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 clash
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has fired a warning to South Africa ahead of their Champions Trophy 2025 clash. The two teams are all set to clash in the mega event on Friday, February 20 at National Stadium, Karachi. Ahead of the fixture, the Afghanistan skipper was asked if his team would be under pressure given the fact that they’ve won just two matches against the Proteas.
The Afghanistan skipper brushed aside any concerns for his team and said that his team will take confidence from their recent series win over South Africa in Sharjah. Afghanistan registered their maiden ODI series win against a top five ranked side as they beat South Africa 2-1.
“Between 2019 and now there’s too much difference and just recently we beat them in Sharjah – 2-1 so we have that confidence with us, and we are not under pressure anyway, because right now we are focusing what we can do in this tournament and I believe that our team is more ready for this tournament and we are focusing on our own team. There is no pressure on us,” said Shahidi in the pre-match press conference.
While Afghanistan will be without teenaged mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who has been sidelined from the entire tournament with injury, they have enough spin depth in the form of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Nabi and Nangeyalia Kharote. Afghanistan will also have support from the Karachi crowd.
“First of all, about people here – there are a lot of Afghans,” Hashmatullah Shahidi said.
“They live here in Karachi and in Pakistan and also a lot of Pashtun people, I think, they support us. So yeah, yesterday there was a lot of crowds shouting for us [during training] and it feels good and it give us confidence that we have supporters here and about our performance.”
This will be Afghanistan’s first-ever appearance in the Champions Trophy, but Hashmatullah Shahidi made it clear that they are not here to make up the numbers and that their goal is to win the title. Afghanistan can draw confidence from their performances in the recent global tournaments: in the 2024 T20 World Cup, they made the semi-finals while earlier in the 2023 ODI World Cup, they had booked a sixth-place finish and with that a spot in this Champions Trophy.
“We are doing very good and, in this tournament, we are here to compete here and our aim is to win the final,” Hashmatullah Shahidi said.
“We are not here just to participate here in this tournament. We are definitely 100% looking to win this event and at the same time because we played a lot of quality cricket from last two years and it’s a good chance for us because the boys are very experienced and these conditions are also suitable for us. So we have a good chance and let’s start it from tomorrow and hopefully we start with the win and we go with the same momentum throughout the tournament.”
Afghanistan will therefore be keen to carry on their winning streak in the ICC Champions Trophy. With conditions in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates favouring their spin-heavy assault, they will aim to reach their first-ever ICC event final after being placed in Group B alongside Australia, England, and Sri Lanka.