Captain of Afghanistan Hashmat Shahidi has appealed to his players to be more responsible and make India work hard during the remaining matches of the ODI series. Prior to the important second ODI match which Afghanistan desperately needs to win, he noted that “When you’re ahead in the game against teams like India, you have to capitalise and not allow them back into the contest.”
He confessed that his being dismissed changed the course of the game back in favor of the rival side. Captain Shahidi underlined that it is necessary for the veteran players to take the game in their own hands in order to allow their team to capitalize in case when they get into advantage during the game.
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These words were uttered in the aftermath of Afghanistan’s humiliating seven-wicket loss in the rain-affected first ODI played in Dharamsala. Gurbaz hammered an outstanding century, scoring 102 runs in just 51 balls. But after he got dismissed the course of the game started changing. Afghans crumbled under pressure and lost their last seven wickets for just 68 runs, as they got bowled out for 194.
Afghanistan Must Grab Their ODI Chances
The Afghanistan captain also mentioned the challenge posed by the team’s limited experience in ODI cricket. Since January 2025, Afghanistan has played only a few one-day internationals, which has hindered their ability to establish consistency in this format. Shahidi stressed that regular exposure is crucial for development and believes that more ODI series will enhance the team’s decision-making skills under pressure.
As he looks to the future, Shahidi emphasized that “At the same time, we haven’t played ODI cricket for so long. From (the) last two years, I think we (have) played eight or nine ODI games, so it’s very less. Maybe that was also an issue with us in the last game.”
He pointed out that going up against a formidable team in their own backyard allows Afghanistan to pinpoint their weaknesses and grasp the standards needed to compete at the top level. While Afghanistan has built a reputation for their spin bowling, Shahidi also stressed the importance of nurturing fast bowlers as they prepare for next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa.
