Afghanistan ‘here to fight’ for World Cup semis berth

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi insisted his side still had plenty of "fight” left in them ahead of a crunch World Cup clash with Australia in Mumbai today.Afghanistan are currently sixth in the standings of the 10-team event and still in semi-final contention.Having enjoyed just one win at their two previous World Cups, Afghanistan have defeated defending champions England, as well as Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the 1992 and 1996 title-winners, during a run of four victories in seven group games so far in India.Few will give Afghanistan a chance against resurgent five-time champions Australia when the teams meet at the Wankhede Stadium.But with Afghanistan pacemen and top-order batsmen, all coming into form, together with their proven spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohamed Nabi, the captain insisted there was more to come from the team."We are a brave nation and we’ve shown that through cricket also,” Shahidi said on Monday."In such a short time, we’ve achieved a lot compared to other countries. And right now, we know the whole world is talking about our team’s performance."As a team also, we are happy for that. But I think as a captain, it’s not enough for me.”The 29-year-old added: "Tomorrow is one of the important games for us. And we will not relax until we are on the plane back to our country."Until then, we will fight as a team.”Top-order batsman Shahidi, in fine form at the tournament with 282 runs in seven innings at an average of 70.50, was clear what lay behind Afghanistan’s impressive World Cup showing."Belief, hard work, and talent,” he said."At the beginning we had the belief, but for that we have to win. So, when we won against England, the belief rate became higher, higher then after Pakistan. And we are now not looking back. We are moving forward.”Shahidi paid tribute to Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott, the former England batsman, for wanting the squad to be "more disciplined...on the field, off the field.”Afghanistan’s recent performances have not only been appreciated at home but by an Indian public whose own unbeaten side are already into the semi-finals."People back home like the way we are playing here right now, they are all feeling proud, and they are very happy for our achievements,” said Shahidi."And the Indian people have given us a lot of support throughout the tournament."One taxi driver, who took me on rides, didn’t take money from me. And that’s how people give us love here in India. So we are thankful for that.”Monday’s net session at the Wankhede was made even more special for Afghanistan by a meeting with Sachin Tendulkar on the retired India batting great’s home ground. "It’s the first time (we’ve met him),” said Shahidi. "And we are all are excited because he’s a legend of the game. We were watching him on TV when he was a successful player – he was a role model for a lot of our players. So it’s exciting for the team, to see him and maybe learn from him.”Aussies face ‘double standards’ blast over Afghanistan WC clashAustralia star Steve Smith said the decision to let the team play Afghanistan in a crunch World Cup match was "above my pay-grade” as Cricket Australia faced accusations of "double-standards”.Earlier this year, CA scrapped a three-match one-day international series against Afghanistan on the grounds the Taliban, who regained power in 2021, had placed fresh limits on education and work opportunities for Afghan women and girls, including female cricketers.In the run-up to today’s high-stakes match in Mumbai, Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq took to social media to suggest there was an element of hypocrisy in CA abandoning the one-day games but going ahead with a World Cup match where it had something to lose."Refusing to play the bilateral series, now it will be interesting to see cricket Australia stand in the World Cup #standards #human rights or 2 points,” Naveen wrote on Instagram.Former Australia captain Smith, however, told a pre-match press conference at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Monday: "We obviously played against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup at home recently and we’re playing tomorrow (Tuesday) so it’s not a question for me, it’s far above my pay grade.” Cricket Australia had earlier responded to Naveen’s post, with a spokesperson telling News Corp Australia: "CA made the decision not to proceed with the three match ODI series against Afghanistan in March following the announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s rights including education and employment opportunities and the access to parks and gymnasiums."There is a distinction between playing bilateral series against Afghanistan which falls under CA control as compared to playing in a World Cup tournament which is an ICC (International Cricket Council) event and subject to their regulations.”Today’s World Cup match has plenty of significance for both sides, with emerging nation Afghanistan still in contention for a semi-final place after winning four of their seven pool matches so far during the tournament.Five-time champions Australia still need to win one of their final two group matches, against Afghanistan and then against Bangladesh, to secure a place in the knockout stage.There have been boycotts and walkovers at previous World Cups, with both Australia and the West Indies forfeiting matches in Sri Lanka during the 1996 edition on security grounds.England also refused to play a match against 2003 co-hosts Zimbabwe, citing safety concerns, with the lost points contributing to their early exit from that edition.