I would like to borrow calmness from MS Dhoni: Hashmatullah Shahidi [Interview]

Hashmatullah Shahidi is one shining name from the fields of Afghanistan cricket who was handed over the responsibilities of the Test and ODI team in May 2021. Shahidi became the captain of the Afghanistan national team taking the duties from Asghar Afghan’s shoulders. During the final of the 2017-18 Ahmad Shah Abdali tournament, he displayed sheer class and grit against Speen Ghar Region.

Playing for Band-e-Amir Region, Shahidi played a classy knock of 163 runs to gain all the limelight. He marked his Test debut against India in 2018 and went on to be the top scorer in the second innings of the match, though it came in a losing cause. It was in March 2021 only that he owned the purest format of the game like a King while playing flawlessly against Zimbabwe.

He became the first Afghan player to smash a double ton as he played an unbeaten knock of 200, riding on which Afghanistan breached the 500-run mark. Off late, he appeared on CricTracker’s exclusive segment Free Hit where he answered several questions from his personal to professional life.

Here are the excerpts from Hashmatullah Shahidi’s interview:

1. One Cuisine/Dish you cannot live without?

Fish

2. Who is the laziest Afghan cricketer?

Mohammad Shahzad

3. Who is one teammate who googles himself the most?

Afsar Zazai

4. Which is the most entertaining T20 League?

IPL

5. Who is your inspiration?

Kumar Sangakkara

6. What is the last thing you do before you go to bed?

I check my phone

7. One thing that nobody knows about Rashid Khan?

He goes to the gym straight after the match

8. Your all-time favorite movie?

Dangal

9. What is the best format for cricket?

Test

10. Which is the best stadium in the world?

Lord’s

11. One thing you would like to steal from MS Dhoni?

His calmness

12. A holiday destination you would like to visit?

New Zealand

13. Your Best friend in the cricket world?

Noor Ali Zadran

14. Your Cheat meal?

Afghani Rice

15. An IPL team you would like to play for?

RCB

16. A bowler from the past you would like to face?

Waqar Younis

17. Your celebrity crush?

Kiara Advani

18. Three words to describe your 200 run knock?

Motivated, Happy, and Proud

19. Which app do you use most on your phone?

Instagram and Whatsapp

20. Which is the best cricket team right now?

India