As Afghanistan face India in an ODI bilateral series for the first time, their skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is banking on Rashid Khan-led spin trio to script their first-ever win over India across formats.
Afghanistan too start their preparation for next year’s World Cup with the three ODIs against the Shubman Gill-led Team India in Dharamsala on Saturday. Ahead of the first ODI, Shahidi said his team is geared up to take on the mighty hosts and would expect his spin trio of Rashid, AM Ghazanfar and veteran Mohammad Nabi pose a challenge.
“We have experience of playing in this ground. We played last in 2023 World Cup against Bangladesh. I still remember that. I think in Indian conditions, when it’s hot, most probably it’s spin wickets. So, I think, I feel that our advantage will be spinners.
“Of course, everyone knows that India is tough opposition in ODI format. They were in the finals last time in the World Cup. We are starting from here our World Cup journey. But no one shows yet which team is going to be qualified for the World Cup. But still we have 7th ranking in our ICC ODI rankings,” said Shahidi looking ahead of the ODI World Cup in South Africa in October-November 2027.
Afghanistan, who were outplayed by India in the one-off Test, have gained confidence from their last five ODI series going into the India contest.
