Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on Thursday focused one other massive scalp within the type of Australia after knocking England out of the Champions Trophy, with a semi-final spot the prize.
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The Champions Trophy debutants despatched England crashing out of the 50-over event with an exhilarating eight-run victory in Lahore on Wednesday.
Afghanistan equally surprised then holders England on the 2023 World Cup in India.
Subsequent they play world champions Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday of their last group match and should win to achieve the final 4 of the eight-nation event.
“Obviously a win like this boosts every team’s confidence and strengthens them,” Shahidi stated after Afghanistan despatched England packing.
“Our morale has increased even more.”
The skipper added: “The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams in the race for the semi-finals.
“Australia is a tricky and good group. I’ve stated this in earlier conferences as effectively that we got here right here to play good cricket.
“We will try to play a positive game. Just like we defeated England today, we hope to beat Australia as well.
“We can’t put that strain on ourselves by pondering an excessive amount of in regards to the semi-final qualification.”
Rain is forecast in Lahore but even a washout will keep Afghanistan in contention of reaching the semi-finals, but they will then have to depend on other results or net run-rate.
Afghanistan, a growing force in white-ball cricket, and Australia have played four ODIs previously with the Australians winning all of them.
At the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had Australia on the ropes at 91-7 when a cramping Glenn Maxwell hammered an unbeaten 201 to pull off victory in hot and humid Mumbai.
Afghanistan roared back to beat Australia at last year’s T20 World Cup and they reached the semi-finals in a landmark achievement.
Asked about the threat that the big-hitting all-rounder Maxwell poses, Shahidi said: “I do know that he performed rather well within the 2023 World Cup, however that is a part of historical past.”
Afghanistan suffered a 107-run hammering to South Africa in their Champions Trophy opener last week but bounced back to post 325-7 against England.
Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177, the highest individual innings in Champions Trophy history, after Afghanistan chose to bat and were struggling on a precarious 37-3.
In reply, England were all out for 317 to suffer their second straight defeat.
The 23-year-old Zadran, who scored 17 against South Africa, is back in action after a long lay-off following ankle surgery.
“Though he was away from cricket for six months, it is by no means straightforward for a participant to return from harm and make such a powerful comeback in a high-stakes match,” said Shahidi.
“I’m extraordinarily pleased for him as a result of he’s a really gifted and hard-working participant.”
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