Hashmatullah Shahidi- Afghanistan pre-match press conference:
PASHTO
[Reporter:]
Three wickets fell very quickly. Was there any pressure at that moment? You then also came in that time and built a good partnership. Did you bring any new plans for this match compared to the previous one? Despite losing three early wickets, the team still managed to score over 300 runs.
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
When we lost three wickets, of course, there was pressure because every team wants a good start. But in the powerplay, they put us under pressure, which is why we lost three wickets quickly and didn't score many runs, only 39 at that point. When Ibrahim and I were at the crease, our focus was to reduce the pressure, build some runs, and make sure we minimized dot balls so we could make up for it later. I kept telling him, and he told me the same, that we should try to build a long partnership to create momentum for the rest of the team. We were playing with that mindset, but unfortunately, I lost my wicket unnecessarily. However, luckily, by then, the team had already come out of the pressure. After that, the way Azmat, Nabi, and Ibrahim built the innings in that situation, in such conditions obviously it was a great support for the batsmen. But I would then give credit to Ibrahim for playing a world-class innings. Similarly, Nabi and Azmat also contributed with excellent partnerships.
[Reporter]
You actually played an incredible match with a lot of grace. Looking ahead to your next match against Australia, how prepared do you feel for it? Do you think today's victory has further boosted the team's confidence and trust?
[Hashmatullah Shahidi]
Obviously, a win like this boosts every team's confidence and strengthens them. Our morale has increased even more. The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams in the race for the semi-finals. Australia is a tough and good team. I have said this in previous conferences as well that we came here to play good cricket. So, any team that we face, we accept the challenge. We will try to play positive game - just like we defeated England today, we hope to beat Australia as well. We won’t put that pressure on ourselves by thinking too much about the semi-final qualification. The things that are under our control is, getting the basics right, we will be having our focus on that. We have a day to analyse their team, and we will come back with proper planning.
[Reporter]
Ibrahim Zadran has returned to the game after a long injury and has performed exceptionally well. How good is this news for the team?
[Hashmatullah Shahidi]
It is a very big news and positive news. Even though he was away from cricket for six months, it's never easy for a player to return from injury and make such a strong comeback in a high-stakes match. I am extremely happy for him because he is a very talented and hardworking player. When players like him perform well, as a leader, it makes me very happy and hopeful for the future. Ibrahim played a brilliant innings, and I pray that he continues to perform like this always.
ENGLISH PORTION
[Reporter:]
Today the way you won the match and tomorrow you're going to play a very important match against Australia. There's a history with Australia, which the whole world knows. What are your feelings? If you win this match, you'll reach the semifinals of the tournament – like in the World Cup, you'll reach the semifinals again. What will you say? The team is ready for a big challenge and the atmosphere will be very emotional?
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
I think it will be a good game for cricket and our focus will be to keep things simple and don't worry much about playing semi-final in those things. We will try to do our basics well, and we will try to come to the ground with good planning. And yeah, Afghan people always cheer for us, as you saw today in the ground, There were a lot of our Afghan people. So, their support is always with us and wherever we go, they're supporting us. They are coming to the stadiums. And whenever we play games like this, all Afghanistan, back home watching from TV. So yeah - I think I covered both questions. For next game, we have time tomorrow. And when we wake up, we will analyse the opposition team and we will come with good planning.
[Reporter:]
There was no support for the spinners in Karachi. What did you think of the pitch for spin here in Lahore?
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
I think, yeah, in Karachi there was different soil on the pitch we played. It was, I think, Australian soil because of my information. So that's why there was nothing on the pitch for the spinner. But yeah, today it was a little bit support. I cannot say the way we get pitches in the other countries, like in Dubai and other countries. But yeah, there was support, and I think the spinners bowled also really well, tight areas. In this kind of condition, our spinners are very good, and if they have a little bit help, I know they will do it for the team.
[Reporter:]
In 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan lost to Australia and the one man behind that loss is Glen Maxwell. Do you have any plan for him for the next game and what do you think about the spin attack of Afghanistan? Are they capable enough to counter him or any specific plans?
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
You think we will come only to play with Maxwell? Do you think it will be like that? We have planning for all Australian team and I know that he played really well in 2023 World Cup, but that's part of the history. After that, we beat them in T20 World Cup, and we think about all opposition team, we are not coming to the ground to plan on individual player. So yeah, as I told you that we will, We have time tomorrow and we will try our best to come with the planning and we are not playing only Maxwell – we are playing Australia day after tomorrow.
[Reporter:]
Beating England twice first in World Cup and now in Champion’s Trophy is a great achievement. You were almost there beating Australia, 91-7 they were, but they won that match. So, they have won against England, they have chased 350 on the same ground. So, any specific plans for Australia? Because they are going to be a tough opponent for you guys. But you also know the conditions. Any specific plan?
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
Yeah, Australia is a tough team, and they are a best team. Everyone knows. And whenever every team comes to the ground or coming to play an international game, they have their own plans, they have their own meeting, they look for opposition players on their strength and weak points. We have planning, but it's not - I don't think that this is the right place to share with you guys here. Let us keep it with us as a team and looking forward for the game. We will apply it there. I will not tell you now.
[Reporter:]
We just want to know that you guys have a plan.
[Hashmatullah Shahidi:]
Yeah, we have a plan, 100%. Do you think we will come without a plan? But that's team planning. We will keep it secret.
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