“I Want Them Not to Do Well”: Afghan Captain Shahidi Embraces the Ultimate Red-Ball Test vs India

As Afghanistan prepare for their highly-anticipated one-off Test against India in Mullanpur, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is embracing the challenge with a blend of confidence and competitive defiance. Returning to face the opponents of their inaugural 2018 Test match, Shahidi highlighted his team’s immense growth over the last six years.

“That 2018 match was our first-ever game in red-ball cricket, and compared to now, we didn’t have any experience back then,” Shahidi reflected. “After that, we played more cricket and learned a lot. With time, you gain experience. Personally, I have gained a lot of experience compared to that time.”

A major talking point ahead of the fixture is Afghanistan’s limited exposure to the longest format, having played just 12 Tests since earning their status. However, Shahidi pointed to a rigorous domestic system as the bedrock of their preparation.

“We play only one or two Test games every year, so the boys don’t have that much experience playing red-ball cricket,” Shahidi admitted. “But when it comes to our domestic structure, we have good first-class cricket in our country. Every boy plays six to seven games each and every year in red-ball. So that experience is also with us.”

Despite the global allure and financial pull of T20 franchise leagues, Shahidi stressed that the five-day game remains the ultimate proving ground for his squad.

“As everyone knows, the best format of this game is Test cricket. If anyone is better at red-ball cricket, they will definitely be good at white-ball cricket. That’s why we have a lot of talent in Afghanistan… everyone is excited to play.”

When questioned, if a team famous for mystery spin and explosive power-hitting, possesses the patience required for Test cricket, the captain was quick to defend his dressing room’s pedigree.

“I have two double-hundreds in my Test career across 10 or 11 games. Rahmat Shah has scored a double-hundred, and some other guys have scored hundreds for Afghanistan in this format. This shows we have the patience and we know how to score runs here.”

The squad has also acclimated to the searing Indian heat through a gruelling three-week preparatory camp in Jalalabad. “The weather was around 34°C to 35°C over there, so we got used to it. Most of us are okay with the hot weather!” he noted with a smile.

Under the guidance of their new head coach, Richard Pybus, the team’s mental approach has been heavily prioritised ahead of the clash. “He is a very positive person and he always looks after players,” Shahidi explained. “In each and every session, he is just showing us and teaching us how to stay positive, how to stay motivated, and how to get quality practice.”

While India field a transitional side currently missing several key veterans, Shahidi remains acutely aware of the hosts’ depth. Yet, he was refreshingly candid about his own ambitions as an opposing captain.

“We know India is a big country and they have a lot of players who can step up; there is no doubt the Indian players are very talented. But at the same time, I am the opposition captain, so I really want them not to do well in this game! I want my team to do well. We don’t hide or step backward.”

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