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The Afghanistan cricket team is equipping itself for a one-off Test match against India, starting on June 6. Ahead of the match, their skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi explains that they are here in New Chandigarh to throw a strong challenge to the cricket powerhouse.
No paper, Team India, despite missing Jasprit Bumrah in their squad, is looking superior to outplay the opposing side. For the Test, Afghanistan has provided its squad a fresh look. The cricket governing body of the nation has added some emerging talents to the set-up.
Hashmatullah Shahidi vows to play good cricket against India
Hashmatullah Shahidi claims that since playing their first-ever Test match in 2018, the Afghanistan cricket team has developed a lot in these 6 years, and they are well aware of the importance of a Test match. For the Afghan skipper, the longest format is the best in the game to express a team’s true potential, as a Test match checks every player’s nerve, skills, composure, and match awareness.
Shahidi is confident of playing a good brand of cricket against India. According to him, if a team performs well in red-ball cricket, then the team is also well capable of doing something significant in Test cricket. Shahidi’s indications are clear.
The best format of this game is Test cricket: Afghanistan captain
Over the years, Afghan players have made their names mostly through limited-overs cricket. Since their emergence in international cricket, they have achieved some milestones, especially in the Twenty20 format. So, there is no doubt that they have talent on the team.
“As everyone knows, the best format of this game is Test cricket. If anyone is better at red-ball cricket, they will definitely be good at white-ball cricket. That’s why we have a lot of talent in Afghanistan… everyone is excited to play,” the Afghanistan Test skipper told the media ahead of the one-off Test.
'We don’t hide or step backward- Hashmatullah Shahidi
The Afghan cricket team leader further acknowledged the strength of the Indian cricket team. He mentions that the Men in Blue brigade is full of very talented cricketers. But he needs to stay confident as the opposing team's skipper. Hashmatullah Shahidi vows to face Team India without any fear.
“We know India is a big country and they have a lot of players who can step up; there is no doubt the Indian players are very talented. But at the same time, I am the opposition captain, so I really want them not to do well in this game! I want my team to do well. We don’t hide or step backward,” he added.
Notably, star spinner Rashid Khan and batter Ibrahim Zadran are not in the Test team against India. Emerging players like Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami, and Rahmanullah Zadran are on the verge of making their debuts in the format. Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai have also been included in the setup.
Test squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi.
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