Former skipper Mohammad Nabi said Afghanistan’s spinners would be a handful at the Cricket World Cup, courtesy their experience of playing in England and in the cauldron of the Indian Premier League.
Mohammad Nabi
New Delhi:
“Ours is a good combination because Rashid and Mujeeb are wicket-taking bowlers. I am more defensive, bowling a lot of dot balls,” said Nabi. “It was a great experience for us and was of big help,” he said of last year’s T20 Blast. “Rashid and I bowled really well and he also batted well. We will quickly get adjusted to the conditions there hopefully,” added Nabi, who will represent Kent in this year’s 20-over contest.
While most of the Afghan team members are at a training camp in South Africa, the spinners are all warming up in the IPL. Both Nabi and Rashid have starred in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign, and 18-year-old Rahman is playing for Kings XI Punjab. Nabi said the IPL, with its big crowds and tight games, is great preparation for the World Cup.
“The IPL helps a lot,” stated Nabi. “If you play these kind of pressure games before the WC, it will help a lot when we play top teams. It is a white-ball game after all. Yes it is a change of format but one can adjust easily,” he added. Nabi’s seven wickets from less than 16 overs has made him one of the top-10 bowlers in this year’s IPL. He will now hope to take that form into the WC, where Afghanistan faces a daunting opener against defending champion Australia on June 1.
Since beating the odds to compete at the 2010 World T20 in England, Afghanistan has qualified for all major international tournaments. Expectations are building for its second WC. “We will try our best and challenge every team that we play against,” signed off Nabi.
The 34-year-old all-rounder will form a potent spin attack with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Nabi and Rashid played for Leicestershire Foxes and Sussex Sharks respectively in England’s T20 Blast last year, while Rahman has been signed by Middlesex for the coming season.
“Ours is a good combination because Rashid and Mujeeb are wicket-taking bowlers. I am more defensive, bowling a lot of dot balls,” said Nabi. “It was a great experience for us and was of big help,” he said of last year’s T20 Blast. “Rashid and I bowled really well and he also batted well. We will quickly get adjusted to the conditions there hopefully,” added Nabi, who will represent Kent in this year’s 20-over contest.
While most of the Afghan team members are at a training camp in South Africa, the spinners are all warming up in the IPL. Both Nabi and Rashid have starred in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign, and 18-year-old Rahman is playing for Kings XI Punjab. Nabi said the IPL, with its big crowds and tight games, is great preparation for the World Cup.
“The IPL helps a lot,” stated Nabi. “If you play these kind of pressure games before the WC, it will help a lot when we play top teams. It is a white-ball game after all. Yes it is a change of format but one can adjust easily,” he added. Nabi’s seven wickets from less than 16 overs has made him one of the top-10 bowlers in this year’s IPL. He will now hope to take that form into the WC, where Afghanistan faces a daunting opener against defending champion Australia on June 1.
Since beating the odds to compete at the 2010 World T20 in England, Afghanistan has qualified for all major international tournaments. Expectations are building for its second WC. “We will try our best and challenge every team that we play against,” signed off Nabi.