Afghani Ambition - A Cricket 22 Story

[DuneTiger]

Afghanistan Completely Overhaul Staff in Preparation for the T20 world cup.​

But not only do they plan to prepare for the upcoming T20 world cup in Australia, the board have openly said that there will be a complete change in focus in the nation with much more emphasis on first class and test match cricket.

New Head Coach Dune Tiger said:

“Afghanistan is a proud cricketing nation, but if I may say, have yet to hit their straps at the absolute biggest stages in world cricket… I want to guide this team and nation all the way to the top of the world rankings in all 3 formats. Now I understand this is an ambitious goal, and will not happen overnight, but I see no reason we cannot achieve this with the talent in our squads.”

Dune Tiger also announced his 2nd hand man would be former Australian Head Coach Justin Langer.

“He was an easy choice to try and get under my wing, he took Australia to the #1 ranking in Tests, and is a T20 World Cup winning coach. His experience in the top job and at the highest level of cricket was an absolute must have in my coaching camp.”

Graeme Swann is a very likely candidate to take the reins as the new head spin bowling coach, but at this stage it is unknown whether or not Swann has actually been approached by the Afghani Cricket Board.

Lance Klusener has retained a position within the Afghani Ranks, taking over as batting coach, while Australian Shaun Tait has remained fast bowling coach for Afghanistan. Andy Flower will also remain the team's consultant.

The Afghani Cricket Board also announced an upcoming tour of Sri Lanka has been confirmed with the Afghanistan team scheduled to play 2 Tests, followed by 5 ODI’s and 3 T20I.

The Test Squad has been announced with the White ball squad expected to be announced soon after. Hashmatullah Shahidi has been backed by Dune Tiger to continue as Test captain, with Rahmat Shah as his vice captain.




16 man Squad for 2 Tests vs Sri Lanka

1. Hashmatullah Shahidi (C) - Top Order Batter
2. Rahmat Shah (VC) - Top Order Batter
3. Ibrahim Zadran - Opening Batter
4. Nasir Jamal - Middle Order Batter
5. Riaz Hassan - Opening Batter
6. Mohammad Nabi - All-Rounder
7. Javed Ahmadi - All-Rounder
8. Asfar Zazai - Wicketkeeper
9. Ikram Ailkil - Wicketkeeper
10. Rashid Khan - Spin Bowler
11. Qais Ahmed - Spin Bowler
12. Amir Hazma - Spin Bowler
13. Yamin Ahmadzai - Pace Bowler
14. Wafadar Moman - Pace Bowler
15. Mohammad Saleem - Pace Bowler
16. Mujeeb Ur Rahman - Spin Bowler

 

[DuneTiger]

We are under way here in the Sri Lankan capital as Afghanistan play their first test match against Sri Lanka. Riaz Hassan will make his test debut and will open the batting alongside Ibrahim Zadran. Afghanistan have picked their elite pairing of Mujeeb and Rashid Khan to lead their spin attack, with Wafadar Momand and Yamim Ahmadzai the 2 quicks selected. The pitch is dusty and is set to spin from the outset, Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bowl.

 

[DuneTiger]

Rashid Double Strike Gives Day 1 Honours to Afghanistan
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Rashid Khan has again shown his magic with the ball in his hand, however this time it was in the white clothing. He bowled one over for the day, and that is all it took for him to dismiss Lahiru Thirimanne and Pathum Nissanka, these 2 wickets sitting nicely with his blistering 47 he made earlier in the day.

Earlier on, Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to field, and his decision seemed justified as Afghanistan crumbled early to 3/19. Lasith Embuldeniya was blistering with the new ball and clean bowled the debutant Riaz Hassan (4), and Afghan Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (0). Rahmat Shah would soon follow after guiding one straight to Karunaratne at 2nd slip.

Ibrahim Zadran and Nasir Jamal would than combine for a 65 run partnership to steady the ship, but Zadran would fall for 41 after a stunning catch by Mathews at Gully off the bowling of Da Silva.

Ibrahim Zadran and Nasir Jamal put on 65 together for the 4th wicket.

The 2nd session would see Nasir Jamal and Javed Ahmadi put another 50+ run partnership together as Afghanistan past 150 before Nasir would be caught out trying to take Jayawickrama over the top of mid off. Pradeep would then take his 2nd wicket shortly after removing Zazai for 13, which brought Rashid Khan to the crease. Despite a watchful start from Rashid (10 from 29 deliveries) it wouldn't take long before he started to take the Sri Lankan bowling on and blast his way to a brutal 47. He would eventually be Pradeeps 3rd victim, caught behind, and Afghani tail would put on another 41 runs before eventually being dismissed for 292. The standout performer for Afghanistan being all-rounder Javed Ahmadi who finished with 93, and was caught at mid off attempting to chase quick runs with the tail.

Javed Ahmadi would finish with 93 off 154 balls which included 11 boundaries and 1 six.

With Afghanistan's innings over, Sri Lanka would have 4 overs left to bat in the day, and while the first over of the innings was given to pace bowler, Yamin Ahmadzai, it would be Mujeeb and Rashid that would bowl the final 3 overs of the day. Rashid Khan would break Sri Lankan hearts, getting a double strike in the 2nd last over of the day and seeing Thirimanne and Nissanka dismissed for a duck.

Sri Lanka would finish the day 2/0 still 292 runs behind Afghanistan's first innings total.