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Afghanistan cricket team is preparing itself for the one-off Test match against India starting from June 6. Before the match, their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi told that they are here in New Chandigarh to give a strong challenge to the cricket powerhouse.
No paper, Team India is looking better in defeating the opposition team despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in its team. Afghanistan has given a new look to its team for the Test. The country’s cricket governing body has included some emerging talents in it.
Hashmatullah Shahidi vows to play good cricket against India
Hashmatullah Shahidi claims that since playing their first Test match in 2018, the Afghanistan cricket team has developed a lot in these 6 years, and they are well aware of the importance of the Test match. For the Afghan captain, the longest format of the game is the best to express the team’s true potential, as a Test match tests each player’s nerve, skill, composure and match awareness.
Shahidi is confident of playing a good brand of cricket against India. According to him, if a team performs well in red-ball cricket then that team is capable of doing something important in Test cricket also. The signs of martyrdom are clear.
The best format of the game is Test cricket: Afghanistan captain
Over the years, Afghan players have made a name for themselves mostly through limited overs cricket. Since his emergence in international cricket, he has made some achievements, especially in the Twenty20 format. So, there is no doubt that they have talent in the team.
“As everyone knows, the best format of this game is Test cricket. If someone is better in red ball cricket, he will definitely be good in white ball cricket. That is why we have a lot of talent in Afghanistan… Everyone is excited to play,” the Afghanistan Test captain told the media ahead of the one-off Test.
‘We do not hide or retreat – Hashmatullah Shahidi
The leader of the Afghan cricket team further acknowledged the strength of the Indian cricket team. He mentioned that the Men in Blue brigade is full of very talented cricketers. But as the captain of the opposing team, he needs to maintain confidence. Hashmatullah Shahidi vowed to face Team India without any fear.
“We know India is a big country and they have a lot of players who can step up; there is no doubt that the Indian players are very talented. But at the same time, I am the opposition captain, so I really want them not to do well in this game! I want my team to do well. We don’t hide or hold back,” he said.
It is noteworthy that star spinner Rashid Khan and batsman Ibrahim Zadran are not in the Test team against India. Emerging players like Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami and Rahmanullah Zadran are on the verge of making their debut in this format. Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Umarzai have also been included in the setup.
test team: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Azmatullah Umarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmed, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Salim Safi.
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