“Hoping West Indies Can Take Leaf Out Of Afghanistan”: Vivian Richards | Cricket Information

Champions Trophy 2025 might be remembered for the ages to return. The 50-over format match returned after a hiatus of eight years and noticed quite a few controversies even earlier than the start. Defending champions Pakistan, who clinched the title within the 2017-edition, have been the one hosts however India’s video games have been performed in Dubai as a result of political stress between the 2 nations. As per the expectations, Rohit Sharma and co gave an exemplary efficiency and entered the semi-finals after remaining unbeatable within the league stage.

The semi-finals of Champions Trophy 2025 will start from Tuesday and the highest 4 groups are India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Other than them, one group which left everybody impressed was Afghanistan.

These days are actually gone when Afghanistan have been thought of because the underdogs in white-ball cricket. The nation marred by battle and political tensions, the Afghans have again and again proved their value within the subject of cricket.

The story truly started with the 2023 ODI World Cup in India the place Afghanistan defeated England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They went on to create historical past by reaching the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024, the place they misplaced to South Africa. In the identical match, the Afghans additionally defeated the mighty Australia.

Speaking in regards to the Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan as soon as once more registered the largest upset of the match by knocking out England from the semi-finals race. This Champions Trophy didn’t characteristic West Indies because the two-time world champions failed to succeed in the ODI World Cup in 2023.

West Indies legend Vivian Richard, who can also be the Worldwide Masters League (IML) Governing Council member, not too long ago spoke about Afghanistan’s development in white-ball cricket and urged the Caribbean nation to observe their footsteps.

“I am simply hoping that my West Indies group can take a leaf out of those guys’ e book. There’s a ardour and vitality that the Afghanis would have delivered to the sport in itself. They’ve solely been taking part in cricket, they have not been within the cricket world for therefore lengthy, as perhaps another groups world wide however simply their preventing spirit,” mentioned Richards whereas answering NDTV’s question throughout a press convention.

“The power to be taught because the years go by has given them the expertise they must be the place they’re now and whenever you see Afghanistan within the Champions Trophy whereas the West Indies will not be, it means Afghanistan is doing one thing proper,” he added.

Taking part in underneath the management of Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghans gave a dominating efficiency within the ongoing match however failed to succeed in the semis. 

They opened their marketing campaign with a disappointing 107-run loss towards South Africa however bounced again in model towards England and claimed an exciting eight run victory. 

Batter Ibrahim Zadran was the top-scorer of the group with 216 runs. Other than him, Azmatullah Omarzai scored 126 runs, together with one half-century. He’s presently the second highest wicket-taker of the collection with seven wickets in three video games. 

Afghanistan will certainly intention for a stable comeback within the upcoming tournaments.