AFGHANISTAN CAPTAIN HASHMATULLAH SHAHIDI SAYS

By Srian Obeyesekere

Afghanistan Test captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, addressing the media yesterday on the eve of the historic one-off test match against Sri Lanka voiced that his side was indeed looking forward to beating opponents Sri Lanka.

Responding to my question as to whether he was positive Afghanistan could pull it off against favourites Sri Lanka he said, “Of course I am. I’m not here to just talk. I’m talking about beating Sri Lanka.”

He was quick to note that his country had very little exposure in the long version of the game having played just seven test matches in the last seven years having gained ICC membership.

“In seven years, we have got only seven test matches which is quite inadequate in terms of progressing. But we are strong as a nation and as a team and believe in ourselves that we can do it,” he quipped at the SSC auditorium.

Shahidi, who won over the captaincy over a period of time from a consistent youth player to striking the big boots job, reasoned that Afghanistan cricketers did have that element of natural talent in them which had been a factor to their swift progress in defeating bigger names in the game in the short format of the game.

“I will not say we are not good enough. We are brave and we are here to fight and in and hopefully the result will come our way,” he mused.