After cutting down a middling goal in opposition to Sri Lanka with ease in a World Cup recreation on Monday, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi attributed his group’s confidence to its triumphant run chase in opposition to Pakistan. Afghanistan hunted down 242 in opposition to Lanka in 45.2 overs shedding simply three wickets to attain their first World Cup win over the Islanders. The match Shahidi was referring to was Afghanistan’s eight-wicket win over Babar Azam’s aspect in Chennai on October 23, after they chased 282 shedding simply two wickets. “Pakistan chase gave us a lot of confidence and belief that we can chase any kind of target. We started really well in bowling (against SL) and the chase was very professional and I am very happy about it,” stated Shahidi within the post-match presentation.

The Afghan skipper stated their coach Jonathan Trott modified his and the group’s mindset.

“Coaches are always positive. We worked very hard before the World Cup. Right now, all the coaching and management staff are working hard and giving us confidence.

“Before the Pakistan game, coach’s (Trott) words changed my and the team’s mindset a lot,” he added.

Shahidi made an unbeaten fifty and shared a 111-run partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai for the unbroken fourth wicket alliance to take the Afghans house.

Shahidi was fairly delighted to remain until the tip and full the chase.

“As a captain you should lead from the front so I am trying my best, I am very happy that I finished the game and I will try to maintain that in upcoming games,” he stated.

Shahidi additionally thanked the Indian spectators for turning up at stadiums and cheering for his group. “I want to congratulate our nation and I thank Indian people for supporting us and coming to the stadiums.” On star spinner Rashid Khan, who accomplished 100 ODIs, Shahidi stated: “Rashid Khan is the best player and he is a very energetic guy, so the whole team is full of energy around him.” Man of the match Fazal Farooqi, who grabbed 4 wickets, stated the Afghan bowlers executed their variations properly in opposition to Sri Lanka, particularly within the demise overs.

“We struggled in the past in the last overs…gave away too many runs. But we bowled with variations today and the hard work in net sessions helped. We tried to bowl as many variations as possible,” he stated.

Farooqi stated he was simply concentrating on hitting the best spots throughout his spell.

“I looked for swing early on but didn’t get it so then I kept it simple and hit the right areas and that was the plan for the spell and I got success in it,” he added.

Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis stated 241 was a under par rating and they need to have put extra runs on the board.

“We were a little bit short of runs. 240 was not enough on this pitch, 280-300 would have been a good score. Our bowlers did well in the first 10 overs, but dew came in and it became hard to bowl later,” he stated.