لراوبر ویب پاڼه لراوبر يو افغان – تازه خبرونه
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan 4, (AP): The Afghanistan cricket team is in high spirits as it approaches this month’s latest hurdle in its against-the-odds quest to play at the World Cup in three years’ time.
Afghanistan is preparing to travel to the Argentina capital Buenos Aires to compete in World Cricket League division three against host Argentina, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Uganda and the Cayman Islands from Jan 24.
The top two finishers from the tournament will progress to the World Cup qualifier in South Africa in April, from which the top four teams will gain berths alongside cricket’s elite at the 2011 World Cup.
“I have no illusions as I really do feel that we have talent and skill to surprise some teams,” says Kabir Khan, coach of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan, having to overcome the problems of a homeland wracked by violence and occupied by foreign forces, made it this far by topping the WCL division four tournament in Tanzania last October.
After 40 days in Saudi Arabia to perform the Muslim Hajj, the team reassembled in Pakistan late last month to prepare for the trip to Argentina.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has given them use of state-of-the-art facilities at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and has also arranged some practice games.
Former Pakistan test players Aaqib Javed, Ejaz Ahmed and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif are providing coaching at the NCA.
“These Pakistani players are stars for our cricketers and their invaluable tips are helping us in our preparations,” Khan said.
“Physically our players are super fit and they have huge talent, but what they are learning fast is how to get mentally strong by meeting these former Pakistan stars of the game and getting some useful tips.”
The backbone of the team is provided by 23-year-old fast bowler Hameed Hasan from Jalalabad and middle-order batsman Mohammad Nabi, and the coach has high hopes from them in Buenos Aires.
“Hasan bowls at a speed of 80-90 miles an hour while Nabi is also an accomplished batsman,” Khan said.
Afghanistan surprised Lahore in a practice game earlier this week and lost to Faisalabad in a 50-over-a-side match.
“It’s good that we played some practice game along with our training at the NCA before we wrap up our two-week training session on Jan 10,” Khan said.