for the Future

● Shahidi opens up on the most challenging moments of his life, including losing his father in
the middle of a first-class game
● Shahidi raised funds to help Afghanistan and support the refugees by building homes,
schools and clinics.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi opened up about his inspiring journey from playing cricket
in the streets of Kabul to leading the national team on the international stage. Speaking to FanCode,
the broadcasting partner for Afghanistan’s series against South Africa, Shahidi shared personal
stories of triumph, loss, and the deep connection between cricket and the people of Afghanistan.
“My journey began when I was nine years old, playing cricket with my brothers and cousins. My
father, who was a very educated man, promised me that if I worked hard in my studies, he would
support my cricket. That’s how I ended up at a cricket academy in Kabul, and within three months, I
was selected for the Under-15 team for a tournament in Nepal. That was the start of my journey.”
Shahidi also reflected on one of the most challenging moments in his life—the loss of his father. “In
2018, I was playing a first-class match and had scored 120 not out. I spoke to my father that evening
and asked him to pray for me to reach a double century the next day. But the next morning, I got the
devastating news that he had passed away in his sleep. I left the match to be with my family. It was a
heartbreaking moment, but I’ve carried his words and support with me ever since.”
Cricket, Shahidi believes, is more than just a game for Afghanistan. “As a nation, we’ve struggled a
lot, and the only joy we’ve been able to give our people is through cricket. The support we get from
our people energizes us, and I’ve tried to give back by building homes, schools, and clinics for Afghan
refugees.”
Looking ahead, Shahidi is determined to take Afghanistan’s cricket team to the top in red-ball
cricket. “We are still new to Test cricket, and it’s the toughest format, but I tell my team that every
opportunity is precious. If we want to be compared to the best, we must perform in this format. Our
goal is to compete at the highest level and bring even more pride to our country.”
(FanCode will be exclusively streaming Afghanistan’s matches against South Africa)