Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi responded cleverly when he was asked about his team’s strategy to tackle Glenn Maxwell ahead of Champions Trophy clash against Australia. Maxwell wrecked havoc against Afghanistan in ODI World Cup 2023 as he scored a monumental 201 runs and rescued Australia when they were 91 for 7. However, Shahidi emphasized that Afghanistan has moved past that painful defeat and is now focusing on Australia as a whole, rather than just one player.
After Afghanistan’s remarkable victory against England, Shahidi was quizzed regarding Maxwell’s possible danger and what his team had planned to defend against him. Laughing it off, the Afghan skipper shot down talk of focusing on one player and restated that they were targeting the whole of the Australian side. He further emphasized that Afghanistan was not going to share their tactics before the match. When questioned about his strategy, he kept mum, not revealing any particular tactics. Afghanistan’s next match against Australia on February 28 is important for them, as a win will get them into the semi-finals.
“You think we will come only to play with Maxwell? Do you think it will be like that?” Shahidi quipped. “We have planning for the whole Australian team. I know he played really well in the 2023 World Cup, but that’s part of history. After that, we beat them in the T20 World Cup. We think about the entire opposition team, not just one player. We are preparing for Australia, not just Maxwell,” said Shahidi, as quoted by India Today.
“Australia is a tough team, one of the best in the world. Every team studies their opponents and prepares strategies based on their strengths and weaknesses. We have our own plans, but this is not the right place to share them. Let us keep it within the team and apply it on the field,” he stated.
