After losing 12 matches in the World Cup, Afghanistan has turned the tables and will face England on October 15th in Delhi, wearing the number ’14’. Starting with losses to Bangladesh and India, Afghanistan shocked the cricket world by defeating the reigning champions, England, just eight days later. Afghanistan then followed up with another significant win, this time against Pakistan.
Having only one win in their first 14 matches in the World Cup, Afghanistan has now secured two victories in their last three matches. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi believes that their transformation is the result of hard work and planning over the past few years.
He mentioned that their journey didn’t start with the World Cup, and they have been working consistently for the last two years. Regular matches against teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, as well as extensive fifty-over cricket at home, have been part of their preparation. Shahidi emphasized the faith and belief they have in their team and players, whether they were performing well or not.
In summary, Afghanistan has undergone a significant transformation in the World Cup, winning matches against strong teams like England and Pakistan. Their consistent hard work and planning have played a crucial role in their success.
Afghanistan now faces another former champion, Sri Lanka, who also started the tournament with two wins out of their first three matches. A victory against Sri Lanka would bolster Afghanistan’s chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals. The match against Sri Lanka is highly anticipated, and it will be interesting to see whose dream becomes more prominent at the end of the match.
