With morale high, Shahidi hopeful of clinching series

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said on Friday that they are confident to earn their maiden ODI series win over Bangladesh following their morale-boosting victory in the series opener at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Bangladesh will be eyeing to level the series after the visitors won the opening game by 17 runs in D/L method on the back of a spirited bowling performance coupled with batting as per the requirement of the day in the rain-interrupted game.

"Yes, of course. Tomorrow is big chance for us to take 2-0 and a good opportunity. As I said, morale is high. I know they will come hard at us but we are ready for any kind of challenge tomorrow. We will try to give our best and win the series tomorrow," he said.

"Playing in Bangladesh against Bangladesh is not easy. But we have won the first game so morale is high and everyone in the dressing room is confident, looking forward for the series. Insha'Allah we will try our best to win the series," he said adding that absence of Tamim Iqbal, who is unavailable for the series after playing the opening game following his retirement, will also help in their cause.

Tamim reversed his retirement a day after he announced it but will not be available for the remaining part of the series.

"Yeah, definitely. He was one of the top players for Bangladesh. He did well in the past also and more experienced guy and captain for a long time in this format. So it will be a good advantage for us. Looking forward to tomorrow's game, we will try our best," he said.

Shahidi said that he is not too concerned about the wicket as that played quite differently in the series opener from what is usually found at the port city where runs are scored quite easily.

"Wicket is the same for both teams. Both teams will be playing on the same wicket. At the end of the day, you have to play good cricket. Every team who plays good cricket, the result will go their way," he said.

"We don't think too much about these things. It's not in our hands. What we have in our hand is to play good cricket so that's what we will do tomorrow," he added.

"The pitch is like you can't tell one day before what's going to happen with that. Yeah, you can take ideas from it. If you see the pitch, you know about it but not 100%. We did very well in the last game and we will see our team's requirements. I can't share who is playing and who is not," he said adding that he is expecting to have the service of Fazalhaq Farooqi in the second game despite failing to complete his quota due in the first game due to cramps.

"I think he had cramps because it's hot weather here. He is good inshallah and we will see him in nets today," he concluded.