Dale Steyn Advocates for Afghanistan’s ICC Tournament Potential with Patience
Dale Steyn supports the idea that Afghanistan can win an ICC tournament in the next decade if their players learn to be more patient. He notes the importance of building innings, criticizes the current impatience in players, and suggests that engaging in four-day first-class cricket may help develop essential skills. Afghanistan’s recent competitive performances highlight their potential, although some challenges remain in their qualification for upcoming tournaments.
Dale Steyn, the former South African cricket legend, expressed his belief that Afghanistan possesses the potential to win an ICC tournament within the next decade, provided that their players cultivate greater patience in their playing style. He emphasized the current trend in cricket, where players exhibit impatience, akin to the instant gratification culture prevalent in social media interactions. Steyn articulated, “Patience is one of the biggest things that Afghanistan players need to learn… they want things to happen so quickly.” He highlighted that an understanding of the need to build innings rather than seeking immediate results would be crucial for their success.
Steyn noted that Afghanistan’s cricket team has demonstrated promising performances in recent white-ball ICC tournaments, notably defeating traditional powerhouses such as England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Their near-miss at the 2023 ODI World Cup and an impressive showing at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they eliminated Australia, underscore their growing competitive edge. However, challenges such as a critical loss to South Africa during the current Champions Trophy have hindered their progress, necessitating a favorable outcome from upcoming matches to enhance their qualification prospects.
In Steyn’s view, embracing four-day first-class cricket could foster the necessary skills in Afghanistan’s players to enhance their performance in longer formats. He recounted a time when many cricketers improved their craft by engaging in county or first-class cricket to learn vital techniques, suggesting that such experiences could impart the patience needed for one-day matches as well. Steyn remarked, “Maybe, spending some time in four-day games might help, because one-day cricket is essentially a shortened version of a Test match.” This insight advocates for a more comprehensive developmental approach for Afghan cricketers.
In summary, Dale Steyn believes Afghanistan’s cricket team can achieve success in ICC tournaments over the next decade by developing patience in their playing style. He underscores the importance of building innings as opposed to immediate results and suggests that participating in longer-format cricket could enhance their skills. As Afghanistan continues to show promise on the international stage, strategic emphasis on patience and experience could be the key to unlocking their potential.
Original Source: www.news18.com
