Afghanistan Will Win the Final, Not Just Here to Take Part: Shahidi
As the countdown begins for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, teams from around the world are gearing up to face each other in the highly anticipated tournament. One team that’s generating a lot of buzz is Afghanistan, who are set to play their first-ever Champions Trophy match on Friday. And according to their captain, Hasmatullah Shahidi, they’re not just here to make up the numbers – they’re here to win the whole thing.
In a recent interview, Shahidi stated that Afghanistan’s aim is to win the final, and they’re not just going to be content with participating in the tournament. This bold declaration comes after his team’s impressive performance in the ODI series against South Africa last year, where they emerged victorious with a 2-1 win.
“We’re not here to just participate, we’re here to win the final,” Shahidi said in a recent interview. “We’re not just going to take part and be happy with our presence. We want to win the trophy.”
Shahidi’s confidence is understandable, given Afghanistan’s recent form. The team has been on a roll, with their last ODI series win against South Africa being a testament to their growing strength. In fact, Afghanistan’s performance in the series was so impressive that they not only won the series but also gave South Africa a run for their money in every match.
Now, as Afghanistan prepares to face South Africa once again in their opening match of the Champions Trophy, Shahidi is confident that they can repeat their heroics. “We’ll definitely beat South Africa in our first match,” he said. “We’ve prepared well, and our team is in good shape.”
But what makes Afghanistan’s chances of winning the Champions Trophy look even more promising is their recent success in the Asia Cup. They won the tournament in 2022, defeating Pakistan in the final, and have since been on a roll. Their recent wins against India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have shown that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Of course, winning the Champions Trophy won’t be easy. Afghanistan will face stiff competition from top teams like England, India, and South Africa, who are all favorites to win the tournament. But Shahidi is undaunted by the challenge, and is confident that his team can rise to the occasion.
“We’re a team that’s always looking to improve, and we’re not satisfied with just participating in tournaments,” he said. “We want to win, and we’re willing to work hard to achieve that goal.”
Shahidi’s words have sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, with many experts predicting that Afghanistan could be the dark horse of the tournament. And while it’s still early to predict the outcome of the tournament, one thing is certain – Afghanistan is not here to make up the numbers. They’re here to win, and they’re determined to make it happen.
As the Champions Trophy gets underway, cricket fans around the world will be closely watching Afghanistan’s progress. Will they be able to live up to Shahidi’s bold predictions and make a deep run in the tournament? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Afghanistan is a team to be reckoned with, and they’re not just here to take part.
