Rain curtails Afghanistan’s first training session

Rain played spoilsport on Afghanistan's first practice session ahead of its historic Test debut against India as the minnows were forced to wind up its nets 45 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, here on Sunday.

Afghanistan team arrived at NCA on time and started practising from 2 PM but had to wind up its session at 4.15 PM following a heavy downpour.

Rain threat also looms large over the match starting on June 14 as weathermen had forecast wet conditions during one or two days.

Afghanistan players looked in good shape as they batted and bowled in the presence of their support staff led by coach Phil Simmons.

The batsmen, including Ashgar Stanikzai, Mohammad Shazad, Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah, who all have scored first-class tons, had a good hit at the nets.

Afghan bowlers, especially spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman also swung their arms in the net.

Rashid, who is numero uno bowler in the world in T20 format, was at his best at nets by bamboozling batsmen as they failed to read his well-disguised googlies.

On Saturday night, the 15-member Afghan squad had arrived at Kempe Gowda International Airport with their tails up after decimating Bangladesh 3-0 in a T20 International series in Dehradun.

In a mind game battle, Stanikzai has called his spinners - Rashid, Mujeeb, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah and Zahir Khan - better than Indian tweakers.

Stanikzai is hopeful of a great show from his spinners in their inaugural Test. The match will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium from June 14 to 18.