Lahore, February 25, 2025: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has emphasized his team’s commitment to utilizing the vast experience of batting coach Younis Khan as they prepare to take on England in their ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Shahidi lauded the former Pakistan captain, highlighting his deep understanding of local conditions as a crucial asset for the team. “Younis Khan is a legend, and we are eager to benefit from his knowledge. When he speaks, everyone listens,” Shahidi remarked. “He has played extensively in Pakistan and understands these pitches well. We will try to use that to our advantage.”
Afghanistan, making their debut in the prestigious tournament, had a tough start, suffering a 107-run defeat against South Africa. Reflecting on the loss, Shahidi acknowledged that the conditions at National Bank Stadium in Karachi did not favor their spinners but remained hopeful that Lahore’s pitch would provide the desired support.
“Our spinners didn’t get much help in Karachi, but we are optimistic that Lahore’s conditions will be more favorable for us,” he stated.
With the Group B fixture between Australia and South Africa being washed out, Afghanistan’s path to the semi-finals has become more challenging. However, Shahidi remains focused on his team’s performance, stressing that their destiny will be decided on the field.
“No matter what people say, nothing changes. If we want to reach the semi-finals, we have to earn it through hard work on the field,” he concluded.
