World Cup 2023: We’re equal to the top teams, says Hashmatullah Shahidi ahead of Australia clash in Mumbai

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said that they are equal to the top teams ahead of their match against Australia in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Afghanistan is all set to take on Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, November 7.

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Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Shahidi said they are equal to the other top teams in the ongoing World Cup. Afghanistan come into this game on the back of three back-to-back wins against Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka.

“We didn’t have a good past in World Cup history. We only won one game. But coming to this World Cup, we believe that we can do better. And the gap which we had before, I think it’s now like I feel we are equal to the teams which are in the top level. And we might be still learning, but talent-wise, we are a good team. I believe that,” said Shahidi.

He went on to say that Afghanistan’s spinners can trouble any team in the world, adding that a lot will also depend on how the pitch plays in Mumbai. Afghanistan have a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals as they find themselves placed sixth in the points table with eight points from seven matches.

“It depends on the pitch. If the pitch suits our spinners and if there is something in the pitch, so I will be very happy. Yeah, I will be very happy because the world knows that our spinning department is best in the world – we can trouble any team. I am hopeful that there will be something in the pitch for the spinners and I will feel happy if that happened,” Shahidi added.

Afghanistan will be hoping to join India and South Africa as the teams that have qualified for the knockout stages. As for the Aussies, a win against Afghanistan would guarantee them a spot in the semi-finals.