‘That’s the history that’s gone... four years’ – Hashmatullah Shahidi on shedding 2019 World Cup baggage ahead of 2023 edition

As a prelude to their 2023 World Cup campaign, Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan's cricket team, confidently addressed a room teeming with reporters in Dharamsala. Shahidi's words echoed with determination as he declared that the shadow of their forgettable 2019 World Cup outing no longer haunted them. He boldly proclaimed that they think they will make this tournament historic for their country's people.

The 28-year-old, who assumed the roles of ODI and Test captain in May, exuded optimism that suggested a remarkable transformation within the Afghan cricket setup. The team, bearing no scars from their previous World Cup debacle, appeared poised for a reinvigorated assault on the cricketing world. Speaking of the same he said, 

“That’s the history that’s gone…four years. I think our mindset is different now, and as a team, and as a leader, I’m very confident this time for this World Cup. I think we will make this tournament historic for our country’s people,” Shahidi asserted.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Schedule

Shahidi confident on having been familiar with Indian conditions 

One key element fuelling the Afghan skipper's confidence is the squad's familiarity with the playing conditions. A significant number of Afghan players have plied their trade in the Indian Premier League (IPL), further enriching their knowledge of the game's intricacies. Even for those who haven't featured in the IPL, India has been more than a second home. The southpaw explained, “As you know that our players play a lot in the IPL but even those who don’t are aware of the conditions because India was our home.”

The Afghan team's journey to this momentous World Cup has been marked by resilience and growth. Having first entered the ODI World Cup arena in Australia and New Zealand in 2015, they have come a long way. With the captain's unwavering belief and the team's collective determination, they aim to script a new chapter in their cricketing history.