Afghanistan's cricket team is making waves as they enter their first ICC Champions Trophy campaign, asserting their desire to leave their mark. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed unwavering confidence leading up to their opener against South Africa on February 21, 2025, at National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Previously, Afghanistan enjoyed success against South Africa, clinching their first ODI series win against a top-five ranked nation with a 2-1 victory last year. Shahidi emphasized this as they approach the prestigious tournament.
"Between 2019 and now there's too much difference, and just recently we beat them [South Africa] in Sharjah - 2-1 - so we have confidence," Shahidi stated at the press conference. He elaborated, stating, "We are focusing on what we can do as a team, and I believe our preparation is solid. We're not under any pressure. Our aim is to compete fiercely and try to win the final, not just be participants."
While the team faces challenges like the absence of teen sensation AM Ghazanfar due to injury, Shahidi assured fans of the spin depth provided by seasoned players such as Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi. The players are well-prepared for the South Asian conditions, which they believe could work to their advantage. During training sessions, they felt the support from the local Afghan community, adding to their confidence levels. "There are lots of Afghans here, and when we train, they cheer us on. It feels great to have their support," Shahidi noted.
This tournament marks Afghanistan's first-ever appearance on the ICC Champions Trophy stage, and Shahidi stressed they do not intend to simply participate. "We are definitely 100% focused on winning this event because we've played high-quality cricket over the last two years," he claimed. The team's recent track record speaks volumes; they claimed important victories against Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka during the 2023 ODI World Cup before reaching the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Group B comprises formidable opponents: South Africa, England, and Australia. To progress to the knockout matches, Shahidi recognizes the need to secure wins against these giants. He has already set his eyes on the potential semifinal clash against their neighbors, India. "If we get past the group stage, we aim to defeat India," he added with determination.
On the eve of their high-stakes match, political sentiments loomed overhead, as calls surfaced for boycotts of Afghanistan's games due to the Taliban's restrictions on women's participation in sports. South Africa's Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, expressed if it were up to him, the South Africa-Afghanistan match would be forfeited. Despite the outside noise, Shahidi remained focused, stating, "Our job is to play cricket, and we don’t care what’s going on outside. We control our game on the field, and that's what matters right now."
Alas, the match against South Africa revealed the difficulties Afghanistan faced. Battling at the National Bank Stadium, their hopes were met with stern resistance as Afghanistan fell to South Africa by 107 runs. Chasing 316, the Afghan batting lineup struggled from the start, with only Rahmat Shah’s commendable 90 runs offering any semblance of resistance. Shahidi later reflected, "I think the batting was not good enough today. The pitch helped their bowlers more as the match progressed. We started well with the ball, but our batting faltered, especially during our opening overs."
The South African bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, restricted Afghanistan to 208 runs, showcasing their dominance on what turned out to be tricky conditions for batting. Ryan Rickelton showcased his talent with the bat, scoring his maiden ODI century, contributing significantly to South Africa's total. Despite the setback, Shahidi highlighted Rahmat's efforts, stating, "Rahmat played really well during tough times, and we'll take this as a positive going forward."
Looking forward, Shahidi is optimistic for the remaining fixtures, expressing hope for improvement as they advance through the tournament. "We have two games left. We’ll learn from this match and focus on quality cricket as we move on. Hopefully, we can gather momentum and secure some wins," he added. Support from the Afghan community is expected to grow as their campaign continues, with hopes of creating lasting ties to their cricket roots. Trust remains high as they compete against England, followed by their decisive match against Australia later this month. With ambition and passion, Afghanistan’s cricket team is determined to put forth their best effort on world cricket's grand stage, continuing to inspire their fanbase back home and abroad.