Afghanistan’s victory over England on Wednesday has given the side a real shot at qualifying for the Champions Trophy knockout stages.
One person who is not surprised by the team’s progress is its former coach Lalchand Rajput. The former India cricketer, currently the UAE’s head coach, was pleased by his former team’s progress.
“I recently told someone ‘don’t be surprised if they make it to the semifinals.’ It is heartening to see their performances. I have seen them start from nothing and reaching this level is something. The cricket has grown well,” said Rajput, who coached the side from 2016 to 2017, during which time the team also got its Test status.
“Seeing the guys whom I have worked with like Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi and Gulbadin Naib do well is very nice,” he added.
File photo: Former India cricketer Rajput coached Afghanistan from 2016 to 2017, during which time the team also got its Test status.
| Photo Credit:
V. Ganesan/The Hindu
File photo: Former India cricketer Rajput coached Afghanistan from 2016 to 2017, during which time the team also got its Test status.
| Photo Credit:
V. Ganesan/The Hindu
Rajput explained that during his time, he started two- and three-day cricket matches between provincial teams in Afghanistan.
“They had four teams and now have six. Playing red-ball cricket, teaches the batters to play long innings, which then helps with one-day cricket. Similarly, the bowlers also learn to bowl 15-20 overs and it becomes easier to bowl 10 overs in a match,” said the 63-year-old.
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Afghanistan must beat Australia in Lahore on Friday to advance to the last four. If that happens, the team could also travel to the UAE to take on India in the first semifinal.
It would be a special moment for the country to play against a country which was once its ‘home’ venue.
Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai celebrates taking the final wicket of England that secured their win in the ICC Champions Trophy match in Lahore, Pakistan.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai celebrates taking the final wicket of England that secured their win in the ICC Champions Trophy match in Lahore, Pakistan.
| Photo Credit:
AP
In the early days of its cricket, the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium was the home for Afghanistan cricket. Some of its early cricketers even used to work in the Emirates while pursuing cricket.
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Mazhar Khan, General Manager at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium added, “In 2010, Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, who built the stadium, announced that Sharjah will be their home venue when they were here for the Intercontinental Cup.
“They are passionate boys and love playing here in Sharjah because they have got a lot of support from their fans in this part of the world.”
“I think they had some very fast bowlers, but were a bit erratic in the early days. But once Rashid Khan came in, he foxed everybody and made a huge difference alongside the likes of Mohammad Nabi,” Mazhar added.