Shaheen Shah Afridi Optimistic About ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023

In a thrilling journey towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 victory, Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan is brimming with confidence as he envisions making history for his nation in India. He expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the “Green-shirts” remain very much alive in the tournament.

The next chapter of Pakistan’s campaign unfolds in Chennai on Monday, as they take on Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Following this, Pakistan will stay in the city to face South Africa on October 27 in their second and final match of the tournament here.

After four intense games, Pakistan currently holds the fifth position on the points table, with two wins and two losses. The journey has been a rollercoaster, with remarkable wins against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, setting a record for the highest successful chase in the tournament’s history. However, they’ve also faced some challenging moments.

Looking ahead, Shaheen Afridi emphasized the importance of learning from the last two matches to bolster the team’s performance. He stated, “We are aware of the expectations from the team and we are eager to fulfill them. A loss is a loss, and we need to accept it. But, learning from it would be better for the team. These two matches were very important for us, but we are very much alive in the tournament. We are here to make history by winning the World Cup.”

Afridi acknowledged the absence of complacency in a tournament as prestigious as the World Cup, where any team can emerge victorious. He highlighted the challenge posed by Afghanistan, a team with world-class spinners. However, he expressed confidence in Pakistan’s batting unit, which has been performing well.

Chennai is known for its spinner-friendly venues, but as a fast bowler, Afridi emphasized the significance of exploiting reverse swing, especially in the middle and latter stages of the game.

Reflecting on the recent loss to Australia, Afridi spoke about adapting to high-scoring venues. He emphasized the need for bowlers to acclimatize to the Indian conditions, which offer less swing and bounce compared to other cricketing nations. Fielding was also a focal point for him, stressing that a couple of crucial catches or run-outs can make a significant difference in high-scoring games.

Afridi concluded by underlining the importance of bowling partnerships and expressed his determination to continue contributing to the team’s success in the upcoming matches.

Despite a dropped catch during his first spell, Afridi emphasized that cricket involves such moments, and it’s the collective effort and energy on the field that matter most. In his view, both wins and losses are shared as a team, and he urged everyone to continue contributing to the team’s journey in the tournament.