Cricket legend and ICC Global Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar delivered a motivational address to the history-making Afghanistan cricketers as they gear up for a crucial 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match against Australia.
Afghanistan has been on a remarkable journey in the ongoing CWC, currently holding the sixth position with eight points. Their fate is in their own hands as they aim for a historic qualification for the semi-finals.
Prior to this tournament, Afghanistan had only won a single game in their Cricket World Cup history. However, in India this time around, they have stunned the cricket world by winning four of their seven matches, including three consecutive victories.
The Afghanistan team received a boost of inspiration from Indian cricket icon Tendulkar, who addressed the group in Mumbai. Rashid, one of Afghanistan’s star players, expressed the significance of this moment, saying, “It is a special moment for each and everyone.”
“Meeting him on a very special occasion here in one Wankhede, I think it’s a different feeling. And definitely it’s given lots of positive energy to the guys, to the team. It’s a kind of dream for lots of players to meet him,” Rashid added.
Rashid also extended his gratitude to Tendulkar for meeting the team before their crucial match against Australia, saying, “I just want to say thank you so much for coming here. I know lots of people start cricket watching you, and you are a role model for everyone back home in Afghanistan.”
With their upcoming fixtures against Australia and South Africa, Afghanistan is aiming to build on their impressive performance in the tournament. They started with losses to Bangladesh and India but bounced back with a resounding win over England.
Subsequent victories against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands have underlined their emergence as a formidable team. Afghanistan’s strength lies in the collective effort of their players, with both their bowling and batting units contributing significantly to their success.
As Tendulkar’s inspiring words resonate within the team, Afghanistan aims to make another surprising impact with a victory against Australia, further solidifying their remarkable journey in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
