Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has highlighted his team’s historic win over Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup as their most significant victory to date. In a candid conversation, Shahidi reflected on Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket and the emotions tied to their first-ever triumph against Pakistan on the global stage.
Afghanistan’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign saw them achieve what was once thought impossible: defeating Pakistan, a cricket with an illustrious World Cup history. The match took place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India, where Afghanistan stunned the cricketing world by outplaying Pakistan to secure a memorable victory.
Though Afghanistan’s World Cup run ended with a narrow loss to eventual champions Australia, their win against Pakistan left a lasting impact on the nation and their supporters. This moment stands tall as a symbol of Afghanistan’s growing stature in world cricket.
“A Victory for the People”
In an interview with cricket presenter Shubankar Mishra, Shahidi was asked to compare Afghanistan’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory over Australia with their triumph against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup. Without hesitation, Shahidi emphasized that the win against Pakistan meant more to the Afghan people.
“Both wins were important, but the victory over Pakistan in the ODI World Cup was monumental; people were incredibly happy,” said Shahidi, underscoring the emotional significance attached to defeating Pakistan, a team Afghanistan had come close to beating on several occasions in the past.
The Weight of History
Afghanistan’s rivalry with Pakistan has often seen the two teams engage in fiercely contested battles, but prior to the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan had been unable to cross the finish line. Shahidi pointed out that Afghanistan had come agonizingly close to beating Pakistan in previous tournaments, including the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 Asia Cup, but faltered in the final moments.
“In the 2019 World Cup, the match was in our hands but slipped away from us in the end. In the 2022 Asia Cup, we lost again when Fazalhaq Farooqi was hit for two sixes by Naseem Shah,” Shahidi recalled. “We had lost almost eight matches that we had been winning against Pakistan. So this win in the World Cup felt like a huge relief for the entire team and the country.”
Afghanistan’s cricket journey has been one of perseverance, and the win against Pakistan in 2023 was seen as a culmination of years of hard work, determination, and resilience by the players.
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A New Cricketing Force in Asia
Afghanistan’s growth in cricket has made them one of the most exciting teams in Asia, second only to India in recent rankings. Afghanistan recently defeated South Africa 2-1 in a T20I series, further solidifying their place among cricket’s elite. Shahidi credited the team’s determination and unity for their continued success.
“Back home, people were very happy with the World Cup win. It wasn’t just about the match; it was about proving that Afghanistan can compete with the best,” Shahidi added. He noted that while Afghanistan has had close matches against several top teams, it was their persistence and belief that finally brought them victory against their long-time rivals, Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s Continued Rise
Afghanistan’s international success continues to grow, with their players now competing against the best teams in the world in multiple formats. Their performances have been buoyed by a combination of strong leadership from Shahidi, exceptional spin bowling led by Rashid Khan, and a batting lineup capable of delivering under pressure.
As Afghanistan prepares for future tournaments, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup, Shahidi remains optimistic about their chances of achieving greater success. “We’re improving every day, and we’re confident that we can challenge the best teams on any given day,” he said.
The Road Ahead
Afghanistan’s next assignment is a bilateral series against Sri Lanka, where they will look to build on their impressive form and further cement their position as one of the top teams in world cricket. With a blend of experienced players and young talent emerging, Afghanistan’s cricketing journey promises to be one filled with excitement and potential for even more historic victories.
For Hashmatullah Shahidi and his team, the win over Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup will remain a watershed moment, symbolizing their arrival on the global stage and their ability to challenge the very best. It is a win that not only brought joy to the Afghan people but also paved the way for a brighter future in cricket.
Upcoming Fixtures for Afghanistan:
- Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka T20I series
- Afghanistan vs India ODI series (January 2025)
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