In a dramatic turn of events at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan’s cricketing underdogs stunned the cricketing world by securing a resounding 69-run victory over England. The match unfolded as a thrilling display of talent and determination, redefining the landscape of the tournament’s early stages.
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Testimonial to the Victory
Following the historic win, the winning captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed his elation and gratitude for the team’s exceptional performance. His words resonated with the team’s collective confidence and unwavering determination.
“I’m quite happy, all the teammates are happy. This is the best win for us, the confidence will be there for the next game, and I’m very proud,” Shahidi remarked during the post-match presentation.
Explosive Batting by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Akhil
The backbone of Afghanistan’s memorable triumph was the explosive batting performance of the 21-year-old Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Shahidi lauded the contribution of the openers, acknowledging the pivotal role they played in providing the team with a strong start.
“The openers get a lot of credit. They gave us a great start, especially Gurbaz,” Shahidi noted.
He also highlighted the inclusion of Ikram Ali khil in the playing XI, showing immense belief in the young talent, and it paid off handsomely. “Ikram was with us for the last 2 years and didn’t get a lot of chances. Today, I believed in him and gave him a chance, and he repaid my faith.”
Mujeeb’s All-Round Contribution
Mujeeb Ur Rahman‘s exceptional all-round performance did not go unnoticed by Shahidi, who commended his leadership on the field and the vital runs he contributed to the team.
“Mujeeb batted brilliantly, he led from the front and scored important runs for us. We have to score runs; our batting lineup needs to score more for our spinners.”
Bowling Excellence and Team Belief
Shahidi also acknowledged the stellar performance of Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Fazalhaq Farooqi, and the early wicket that provided momentum.
“We have a lot of confidence about our spinners. Fazal started very well, the first wicket gave us a lot of momentum. When I was batting, I realized the wicket wasn’t supportive for batters against spinners. I told the boys that 280-290 will be enough when I got back into the dressing room.”
Shahidi underlined the team’s unwavering belief and the depth of their talent. He recognized that despite some previous setbacks, the belief and trust in the team’s abilities remained strong.
“I want to say that the belief, trust, and talent are there. Last couple of games, we didn’t finish well, but the belief is there. This is just the first win; we are looking for more in the tournament. This was just the first one, not the last one.”
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