Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan’s Gurbaz says National Stadium’s atmosphere felt like home

Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan’s Gurbaz says National Stadium’s atmosphere felt like home

A large number of Afghanistan spectators turned up at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday as the team featured in its maiden Champions Trophy fixture against South Africa.

Despite their team suffering a heavy defeat, the Afghan fans cheered for the players throughout the game, and the atmosphere on the ground made Rahmanullah Gurbaz ‘feel like home’.

“We felt like (as if we were playing at home). We have never played in Afghanistan in an international game, as we play most of our matches in Dubai. But it was so good to see the stands almost full,” Gurbaz said. “And I hope the time comes soon when we play in Afghanistan. That will be a nice feeling…”

Even though things did not go its way, Afghanistan still has lots to play for in the tournament, and being a senior member of the team, Gurbaz admitted that the pitch was ‘completely beyond the team’s expectations’. 

“For the Pakistan match, it was not that kind of pitch… we were expecting a bit of slow pitch, but as a professional player, I don’t need to find excuses,” Gurbaz said, adding that the team has all the potential to bounce back.

“It’s not only that we beat some teams. Pakistan or England, or something like that. We have beaten (almost) every single team in any competition. How can people say that it’s an upset or something like that? That’s something which is not respectable. Our strength is bowling, but at the same time, our batting is also good,” he said.

Despite the defeat, he is hopeful that the team will bounce back. “A strong team always comes back stronger,” Gurbaz said.

However, coach Jonathan Trott believes the team needs to do better with the new ball and improve its fielding standards in future matches.