Dale Steyn Believes Afghanistan Can Win ICC Tournament in Next Decade
Dale Steyn anticipates that Afghanistan can win an ICC tournament in the next decade if they enhance their patience in gameplay. Recently, they showcased skill by defeating England but failed to progress past group stages. Wasim Jaffer highlighted concerns about their batting performance, stressing the need for improvement and consistency in crucial matches.
Dale Steyn, the renowned cricketer, expressed his belief that Afghanistan can secure an ICC tournament victory within the next decade. He emphasized the importance of cultivating patience in both individual and team play to enhance their performance on the international stage. Steyn remarked that players’ urgency for instant results often leads to missed opportunities and creates challenges in building their game.
In a recent Champions Trophy 2025 match, Afghanistan showcased their potential by narrowly defeating England but failed to advance to the knockout stages after losing to South Africa and facing difficulties against Australia. “Back in the day, a lot of players would go play county cricket to improve their skills and patience. I think we live in a time now where people are not patient enough,” stated Steyn. He highlighted that modern players, similar to audiences accustomed to quick social media content, exhibit a tendency to seek immediate outcomes in cricket.
Steyn further encouraged Afghan players to gain experience in longer formats, such as four-day matches, as he believes this would foster a greater level of patience essential for One Day Internationals. He noted, “Once they get that down, honestly, in the next decade, they could win ICC tournaments, for sure.”
Wasim Jaffer, acknowledging Afghanistan’s swift progress in international cricket, pointed out their inconsistency in tournament performances and vulnerabilities in their batting lineup as areas requiring improvement. He noted Ibrahim Zadran’s remarkable performance against England and the missed opportunity from Sediqullah Atal against Australia, indicating the need for top-order stability to enhance overall performance.
Jaffer observed, “Afghanistan are on the rise… So, you can expect Afghanistan to put on a show.” However, he cautioned about the importance of a strong start in short tournaments, emphasizing that one loss can jeopardize progression. He concluded by stressing the need for improvements in their batting strategy, specifically highlighting the importance of consistent performances from players like Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had a disappointing tournament outing.
In summary, both Dale Steyn and Wasim Jaffer have underscored the potential of the Afghan cricket team to achieve remarkable success. By focusing on building patient gameplay and improving batting consistency, Afghanistan has the opportunity to excel in upcoming international tournaments. Although challenges persist, their recent achievements indicate a promising future in international cricket.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
