The Afghans, under the guise of former West Indian all-rounder, Phil Simmons (coach) and Gulbadin Naib (captain) are busy with a training camp in preparation for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, as well as their upcoming tour to Scotland at the start of May. Afghanistan will use Potch as a base until the 28th of April.
Afghanistan faced the local North West Dragons team on Thurday, 18 April at Senwes Park in a practice match. This was an opportunity for Afghanistan to get their players in match ready shape ahead of the World Cup. Whilst the Dragons’ stars had a chance to test themselves against international competition.
Afghanistan’s pacers, Dawlat Zadran and Sayed Shirzad as well as spinner, Qais Ahmed impressed. The experienced left-hander, Najibullah Zadran was also in good form with the bat. Regulars, Mohammed Nabi, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Zadran, are on Indian Premier League (IPL) duty and will only join the squad in Scotland.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
Afghanistan’s ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup squad:
Gulbadin Naib (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Interesting stats:
Head coach: Phil Simmons
Captain: Gulbadin Naib
Star Players: Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, Mohammed Shahzad
Best Batting: Mohammad Shahzad: 131* vs Zimbabwe
Best Bowling: Rashid Khan: 7/18 vs West Indies
Most wickets Rashid Khan 123 at an average 15
Most Runs: Mohammad Nabi: 2 565
