As Royal Champs continue their inaugural campaign in the Abu Dhabi T10, Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Shehzad says the franchise is focused on long-term building rather than short-term outcomes, with head coach Courtney Walsh playing a central role in keeping the squad motivated through a challenging debut season.
Shehzad, who has featured in more than 150 international matches across formats, said Walsh’s experience has been instrumental in helping the group remain grounded. “On paper, our team is very good, and our team is also good on the ground. Our efforts remain the same. Our coach and captain both motivate us,” he said. “In every team meeting, they focus on the small mistakes – where one moment could have changed the game. They do it to keep the team’s morale high. Otherwise, we can only try; the result is not in our hands.”
Franchise Looks to the Future
With Royal Champs entering the league as a new franchise, Shehzad said the project is designed to grow season by season. “It’s a new franchise team. It will take time, but it will get better year by year,” he noted. “Our management is good. We fulfil all the requirements of the team.”
The squad features established international names including Shakib Al Hassan, Jason Roy, Aaron Jones and Isuru Udana, giving the side a diverse mix of experience and styles. “We have players from all over the world. We all sit together and talk about the match. The team atmosphere is very good,” Shehzad said.
Abu Dhabi Feels Like Home
With the UAE having hosted several of Afghanistan’s training camps and international fixtures in recent years, Shehzad said playing in Abu Dhabi carries a sense of familiarity. “It’s an unbelievable place for sports. We used to have many camps here. This is like our home ground, so it feels good to return,” he said. “The atmosphere, the facilities – the academy, the stadium, the smaller grounds – I’ve been playing here for a long time. It really feels like home.”
Recovery Between Matches
With a tight schedule and games often less than a day apart, the team has prioritised recovery as a critical part of its preparation. “We have about 18–20 hours between matches in which we recover through swimming, physio, and exercise. After doing all that, we recover and come back ready,” he said.
As Royal Champs work to establish their identity in franchise cricket’s shortest format, Shehzad believes the team’s foundations are being laid with patience and purpose. “There is a lot of life left to travel,” he said with a smile when asked about exploring Abu Dhabi. For now, the focus remains firmly on the cricket – and on building something that lasts beyond one tournament.
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