Dale Steyn advocates for Afghanistan’s cricket growth, highlighting their recent successes in ICC tournaments. He emphasizes the importance of patience and skill development through longer formats. Steyn believes that with the right approach, Afghanistan could contend for ICC championships in the future.
Afghanistan’s recent performance in ICC tournaments has been impressive, with victories over established teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka during the 2023 ODI World Cup, which enabled their qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Additionally, in the 2024 T20 World Cup, they triumphed against Australia and reached the semi-finals. In their ongoing Champions Trophy campaign, they secured a win against England but narrowly missed a top-four finish after losing to Australia.
Dale Steyn, the former South African cricketer, offers a positive outlook for Afghanistan’s future, advocating for a measured approach to cricket. He emphasizes that adopting a patient mindset can lead to sustained success over the next decade. Steyn noted the tendency among modern players to seek immediate results in T20 formats, which may not be conducive to One Day Internationals (ODIs). He suggests that participating in longer formats, such as four-day matches, could significantly benefit Afghanistan’s development in 50-over cricket.
Steyn remarked, “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 further expressed that while T20 cricket offers financial rewards and learning opportunities, dedicating more time to four-day games would foster the patience necessary for success in ODIs. He concluded by stating, “…once they get that down, honestly, in the next decade, they could win ICC tournaments, for sure.”
In summary, Afghanistan’s cricket team has shown promising potential in recent ICC events, with support from figures like Dale Steyn. His insights on the importance of patience and skill development through longer formats underscore the path toward future success. By embracing a more measured approach and focusing on building their game, Afghanistan could emerge as a formidable presence in international cricket.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
