Dale Steyn believes Afghanistan can win an ICC tournament in the next decade if they develop patience in their game. Despite a thrilling victory against England, they missed out on the Champions Trophy knockout stage due to inconsistency in their batting line-up. Wasim Jaffer echoed the need for improvement in their approach, particularly in the early stages of tournaments.
Dale Steyn has expressed confidence that Afghanistan can secure an ICC tournament victory within the upcoming decade. He emphasized the necessity of cultivating patience in both individual and team performances, suggesting that the players often desire immediate results, which sometimes leads to rushed decisions on the field. Steyn reflected on past cricketing norms, stating, “Back in the day, a lot of players would go play county cricket… to improve their skills and improve their patience.”
Afghanistan’s recent performance, including a notable victory against England, was marred by early exits from the Champions Trophy 2025 after losing crucial matches to South Africa and Australia. Steyn observed that many players are influenced by the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket, which although beneficial for earning income, detracts from essential skills developed in longer formats. He pointed out, “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.”
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer echoed this sentiment, praising Afghanistan’s progress but identifying key areas needing improvement, particularly the batting order’s consistency in crucial situations. He noted that despite individual achievements, such as Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive innings against England, the team struggled to perform well collectively. Jaffer remarked, “Afghanistan are on the rise… and when they beat anybody it’s not an upset anymore.”
He highlighted the importance of strong starts in tournaments, as early losses can be devastating in short formats. Jaffer critiqued the batting line-up, stating, “Their batting needs to improve as well… Gurbaz is their main player, he had a very off tournament. That is where I think they lacked this time.” Jaffer believes that addressing these challenges will be pivotal for their future success on the international stage.
In conclusion, Afghanistan’s potential to win an ICC tournament in the next decade is dependent on resolving issues of patience and consistency within their batting lineup. As highlighted by experts like Dale Steyn and Wasim Jaffer, embracing a blend of traditional longer formats and their fast-paced T20 experiences could prove beneficial. Improvements in these areas might enable Afghanistan to establish themselves further in international cricket, beyond just being competitive. While their recent performances exhibit promise, greater cohesion and strategic patience could be key to achieving lasting success.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
