‘Not here just to participate’ – Shahidi eyes CT glory

Afghanistan Captain Eyes CT Glory

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghanistan captain, has stated that his team is not just looking to participate in the Champions Trophy, but is instead focused on winning the tournament. This comes after a string of impressive performances, including four successive ODI series wins against Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.

"We are not here just to participate here in this tournament. We are definitely 100% looking to win this event," Shahidi said.

The team has been building momentum, with recent victories over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup. They also reached the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup last year.

Shahidi emphasized that his team is not under pressure, citing their recent win over South Africa in Sharjah and their confidence in their abilities. He also downplayed the recent controversy surrounding a potential boycott by some nations, stating that his team is focused on their own performance and not external factors.

"We only control things inside the ground. So that's our job and other things cannot put us under pressure," he said.

Shahidi also expressed his optimism about the future of international cricket in Afghanistan, stating that the country has the facilities and infrastructure to host matches. He hopes that a team will visit Afghanistan soon, citing the enthusiasm of the local fans and the country's rich cricketing culture.

Afghanistan will begin their Group B campaign against South Africa in Karachi on February 21, followed by matches against England and Australia in Lahore on February 26 and 28.