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Spinners Key to Afghan Upset Bid vs India
13 Jun
Summary
- Afghan spinners are expected to exploit Indian conditions against the hosts.
- This ODI series marks the start of Afghanistan's 2027 World Cup preparations.
- Afghanistan aims for their first-ever ODI victory against India.
Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is counting on his spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, to achieve a significant milestone: their first-ever ODI victory over India. The three-match series, commencing in Dharamsala on Saturday, also signifies the beginning of Afghanistan's strategic preparations for the 2027 World Cup.
Shahidi highlighted the team's familiarity with Indian conditions, noting that hot weather often favors spin-friendly wickets, which he believes will be Afghanistan's advantage. Despite India being a formidable opponent, as evidenced by their recent World Cup final appearance, Afghanistan draws confidence from their strong performance in recent ODI series, currently holding the seventh ICC ODI ranking.
This series presents a unique opportunity for Afghanistan, as it's their first bilateral ODI engagement against India. Shahidi expressed his team's eagerness to compete and their belief in their spinners' ability to challenge the hosts. The captain also emphasized that this series is part of a long-term vision, looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup showcase in South Africa.
