Chase Against Pakistan Gave Us Belief: Afghanistan Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi

After scaling down a middling target against Sri Lanka with ease in a World Cup game on Monday, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi attributed his team's confidence to its triumphant run chase against Pakistan. Afghanistan hunted down 242 against Lanka in 45.2 overs losing just three wickets to score their first World Cup win over the Islanders. The match Shahidi was referring to was Afghanistan's eight-wicket win over Babar Azam's side in Chennai on October 23, when they chased 282 losing just two wickets. “Pakistan chase gave us a lot of confidence and belief that we can chase any kind of target. We started really well in bowling (against SL) and the chase was very professional and I am very happy about it,” said Shahidi in the post-match presentation.

The Afghan skipper said their coach Jonathan Trott changed his and the team's mindset.

“Coaches are always positive. We worked very hard before the World Cup. Right now, all the coaching and management staff are working hard and giving us confidence.

“Before the Pakistan game, coach's (Trott) words changed my and the team's mindset a lot,” he added.

Shahidi made an unbeaten fifty and shared a 111-run partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai for the unbroken fourth wicket alliance to take the Afghans home.

Shahidi was quite delighted to stay till the end and complete the chase.

“As a captain you should lead from the front so I am trying my best, I am very happy that I finished the game and I will try to maintain that in upcoming games,” he said.

Shahidi also thanked the Indian spectators for turning up at stadiums and cheering for his team. “I want to congratulate our nation and I thank Indian people for supporting us and coming to the stadiums.” On star spinner Rashid