Lahore, February 27 – Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi has made it clear that his team is not solely focused on Glenn Maxwell but has a well-rounded plan for the entire Australian squad ahead of their must-win Champions Trophy encounter on Friday.
After their thrilling eight-run victory over England on Wednesday, Afghanistan now has its sights set on overcoming Australia and securing a semifinal berth in the tournament. Addressing the media on the eve of the crucial fixture, Shahidi dismissed the notion that Maxwell, who played a historic knock against them in the 2023 World Cup, is their primary concern.
"Do you think we will come only to play against Maxwell? We have planned for the entire Australian team. I know he played really well in the 2023 World Cup, but that’s history," Shahidi stated.
Australia’s miraculous comeback in the 2023 World Cup match against Afghanistan, powered by Maxwell’s unforgettable double-century, had left a deep impact. However, Afghanistan turned the tables in the 2024 T20 World Cup, defeating Australia despite another resistance from Maxwell.
"We are not coming to the ground to plan for individual players. We are playing against Australia as a team. We will try our best to execute our strategies well," the Afghan captain added.
Afghanistan’s Rise in Global Cricket
The recent victory over England marked Afghanistan’s second ODI triumph against them, following their stunning 2023 World Cup win in India. The celebrations in Kabul reflected the passion of Afghan fans, with fireworks lighting up the capital and supporters flooding the streets.A win against Australia would mark another historic milestone for Afghanistan, ensuring back-to-back semifinal appearances in ICC tournaments following their remarkable T20 World Cup campaign in 2024.
Despite the stakes, Shahidi remains focused on the basics. "We want to keep things simple, not think too much about the semifinals, and focus on executing our plans well," he emphasized.
Afghanistan’s passionate fanbase has been a driving force for the team. "Wherever we go, they support us. Their presence in the stadiums and their enthusiasm back home give us motivation," he added.
Spinners to Play a Key Role
Shahidi is optimistic about the Lahore pitch, which has offered assistance to slow bowlers—an advantage for Afghanistan’s formidable spin attack led by Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad."In Karachi, the pitch was different, resembling Australian soil, which didn’t support spinners. But here, there is some help for them. In such conditions, our spinners can make a big impact," he explained.
With Afghanistan high on confidence and determined to make history, their clash against Australia promises to be a thrilling contest. A victory would further cement their reputation as one of the most formidable emerging teams in world cricket.
