'we Don't Care What's Going On Outside,' Says Afghanistan Captain Ahead Of Proteas Clash

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi will not allow the outside noise to affect his team when they face the Proteas in their ICC Champions Trophy opener in Karachi on Friday 11am SA time start.

Afghanistan were recently the centre of attention when South Africas Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie pledged his official support for a boycott of the former war-torn nation, due to its Taliban governments crackdown on womens rights since returning to power in August 2021.

McKenzie stated that if it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen, in reference to the Proteas team facing Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy.

He went further by saying that Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC International Cricket Council will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, and especially the women in sports.

Shahidi was not willing to get involved in the politics related to his teams participation in the ICC Champions Trophy, and stressed that his teams focus was purely on beating the Proteas, which they recently did in Sharjah last year, when they completed a historic 2-1 series victory.