Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi emphasised that his team's remarkable World Cup victories are not mere surprises but the outcome of consistent dedication and hard work, despite the astonishment they have evoked in the global cricket community.
Under Shahidi's leadership, Afghanistan have showcased two exceptional performances in the 10-team tournament, stunning the cricket world by defeating reigning champions England with a 69-run victory and claiming an impressive eight-wicket win over 1992 title-winners Pakistan in Chennai.
Following a week's break, Afghanistan are now aiming for a third World Cup triumph as they face 1996 champions Sri Lanka in Pune on Monday.
While Afghanistan's wins over England and Pakistan have been widely labelled as "upsets" and "shocks," Shahidi is quick to clarify that these victories were not sudden strokes of luck but rather the result of meticulous planning and hard work that began well before the World Cup.
"This team's journey didn't start with the World Cup," Shahidi emphasised during a pre-match press conference in Pune. "We have been building this team for the past two years, consistently engaging in series against teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh."
The 28-year-old batter further explained, "We played a lot of domestic 50-over cricket and remained loyal to our game plan and team. Even during challenging times, we maintained our faith in this team and its players. We provided them with numerous opportunities. Whether in our highs or lows, we never lost belief in this team, and that's the key to our strong performance in the World Cup."
Shahidi played a crucial role in securing victory against Pakistan, contributing an unbeaten 48 runs to the scoreboard, while Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten with 77 runs. This success was built upon the solid foundation set by openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Ibrahim Zadran (87), who shared a century-long opening partnership.
"I faced some difficulties in previous games against Bangladesh and England," Shahidi acknowledged. "But I had a discussion with our coach, Jonathan Trott, regarding my batting, and he offered valuable insights. I can't disclose them here, but the few words of advice he provided were immensely helpful."
Afghanistan's upcoming opponents, Sri Lanka, have also secured two victories out of their first five games, notably overpowering England by eight wickets in their last outing.
"Putting aside our experience in the LPL, we have faced each other in many ODIs," Shahidi remarked. "We are well-acquainted with them, and they are equally familiar with us."
