Dale Steyn advocates for Afghanistan’s cricketing potential, praising their recent tournament successes, including significant victories over England and Australia. He emphasizes the need for patience and experience in longer formats to enhance their skills. Steyn believes that with a focus on patience, Afghanistan could succeed in future ICC tournaments.
Dale Steyn, the former South African cricketer, has voiced support for the Afghanistan national cricket team, praising their recent successes against formidable opponents in ICC tournaments. Their impressive victories in the 2023 ODI World Cup, including notable wins over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, led to their qualification for the Champions Trophy in 2025. Moreover, Afghanistan’s performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they achieved a historic win against Australia and reached the semi-finals, showcased their rising potential.
Despite their commendable feats, Steyn observed that Afghanistan fell short in the ongoing Champions Trophy after losing to Australia, despite earlier defeating England. Nonetheless, he emphasized that by maintaining their competitive play, Afghanistan is poised for more opportunities in the coming years. He underscored the critical role of patience in adapting their game, particularly in ODIs amidst the fast-paced environment of T20 cricket.
Steyn highlighted how modern players often rush their approach, noting, “Back in the day, a lot of players would go play county cricket. Or they would go play first-class cricket to improve their skills and improve their patience really. I think we live in a time now where people are not patient enough.” He suggested that investing time in four-day matches could strengthen Afghanistan’s skills in 50-over formats, aligning with his assertion that, “One-day cricket is essentially a shortened version of a Test match.”
He further remarked, “Patience is one of the biggest things that Afghanistan players need to learn, and once they get that down, honestly, in the next decade, they could win ICC tournaments, for sure,” indicating his belief in Afghanistan’s growing potential in international cricket.
In conclusion, Dale Steyn has expressed optimism regarding Afghanistan’s future in international cricket, emphasizing the necessity of patience and experience in longer-format games. Their recent successes demonstrate their capabilities, but adopting a more composed approach in matches could yield even greater accomplishments. Steyn’s insights suggest that with continued improvement and dedication, Afghanistan could emerge as a formidable force in ICC tournaments over the next decade.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
