Dale Steyn predicts that Afghanistan could win an ICC tournament in the next decade if they develop patience in their gameplay. Despite showcasing talent, their recent performances in the Champions Trophy revealed challenges, particularly in their batting consistency. Wasim Jaffer echoed these sentiments, praising their progress while stressing the need for stronger starts in tournaments and improved overall batting performance.
Dale Steyn has expressed confidence in Afghanistan’s potential to win an ICC tournament within the next decade, emphasizing the need for patience in their gameplay. He noted that while Afghanistan recently achieved a memorable victory against England, they still faced challenges during the Champions Trophy 2025, notably their losses against South Africa and Australia, before inclement weather disrupted their momentum.
Steyn remarked, “Back in the day, a lot of players would go play county cricket, or they would go play first-class cricket to improve their skills and improve their patience really. I think we live in a time now where people are not patient enough.” He believes Afghanistan’s approach often reflects a desire for immediate results, which hinders their performance.
Furthermore, he observed that many Afghan players predominantly engage in T20 cricket, which benefits their financial security and skill acquisition but emphasizes a need for extended-format experience. “Patience is one of the biggest things that Afghanistan players need to learn, and once they get that down, honestly, in the next decade, they could win ICC tournaments, for sure,” he concluded.
Wasim Jaffer also commented on Afghanistan’s continued growth in international cricket, highlighting their tendency to falter in tournaments and their batting line-up’s fragility. He pointed out that despite individuals like Ibrahim Zadran performing notably, the collective execution by their top batsmen often leaves much to be desired.
Jaffer stated, “Afghanistan are on the rise… So, you can expect Afghanistan to put on a show.” However, he stressed the importance of a strong start in tournaments, noting that the opportunity for redemption can be severely limited. Moreover, he identified the need for consistency in the batting order as critical for future success, particularly for players like Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
In summary, both Dale Steyn and Wasim Jaffer acknowledge Afghanistan’s rapid development in cricket, while underscoring the necessity for improvement in patience and consistency. With a focus on refining their batting strategies and embracing longer formats of the game, Afghanistan possesses the potential to achieve significant success in future ICC tournaments.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
