Afghanistan Cricket Team has emerged as the most improved team in the recent years. On their given day, they can beat any of the strong side and have shown it in the recent ODI World Cup 2023 and the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024.
They beat Australia in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup in 2024 and knocked them out of the tournament. Australia, on the other hand, have refused to play against them multiple times in the recent past on account of human rights violations against women.
However, the Afghanistan team feels that Australia are making silly excuses and are fearing to play against one of the most improved sides. Former Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan, in a recent chat with InsideSport, said that Afghanistan team used to feel the pressure, earlier, when they used to play against weaker teams.
However, now he feels that the pressure is on Australia when they face off against the Afghans. He feels that the Aussies are fearing the pressure of playing against Afghanistan and losing the game.
At the sidelines of Legends League Cricket, Afghan said,
“Earlier when we used to play against teams, even the weaker ones, there was a lot of pressure on us. I think, these days, the pressure has come on Australia, if they play against us. There is a fear of playing us and losing. That pressure is something else,”
“We are not the same side we were, a few years back“- Asghar Afghan
He also feels that Afghanistan are a strong team now and if they face off Australia in Sharjah or in India, the Aussies will feel the pressure of beating them. Afghan feels that the Aussies are just making excuses and are not willing to face them.
“Look, we are not the same side we were, a few years back. If we play in Sharjah or even India against Australia, it would be very difficult for them. This could just be an excuse from them, since we can beat any team easily now.” He added.
Australia and Afghanistan have played four matches against each other in ODIs. Australia have won all four matches, with the last win coming in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Afghanistan, though, have beaten Australia in a T20 international at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
