World Cup 2019: I know what we need, says Afghan Cricket Board chairman
Updated On: 24 June, 2019 07:37 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Azizullah Fazli defends call to replace Asghar Afghan with Gulbadin Naib as captain; confident of bright future
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Afghanistan players celebrate an India wicket during a group stage match at The Ageas Bowl Southampton on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
Southampton: When the Gulbadin Naib-led Afghanistan team came agonisingly close to upsetting Virat Kohli's men here at the Ageas Bowl, it was a huge moment of pride for Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Azizullah Fazli as he watched the proceedings closely from the ICC's hospitality box. Fazli opened up to mid-day on Afghanistan's roadmap, BCCI's role, controversies surrounding change in captain ahead of the World Cup, coach Phil Simmons threatening to spill the beans on Afghanistan preparations before sending out a stern message to those looking to create issues in the Afghanistan cricket team.
Excerpts:
Your views on Afghanistan not doing very well here...
This is just the second time that Afghanistan is participating in the World Cup. The first was in 2015. Proper cricket is being played in Afghanistan for the last 15 to 20 years only. I am confident in the next three years our cricket will prosper even further. Afghanistan does not have enough grounds and facilities like other countries, but despite those limitations, cricket is the No. 1 sport in our country. A lot of younger players are coming through. T20 cricketer is best received in Afghanistan. I am confident that in coming years, a lot of players will seriously take up 50-over and Test cricket.
Afghanistan is yet to win a match in this World Cup...
This World Cup has given us an opportunity to play against bigger teams. It will help us gain that experience. Our main focus is how to develop good domestic players for the bigger stage.
The reason why Afghanistan are not doing well in this World Cup is because we have never played in these conditions. All our matches are played in Asia. The conditions here in England are different and that is why our performance has been affected. Our team couldn't play the full 50 overs in the World Cup, except against England. Our efforts are to have matches in England, Australia and New Zealand so that we can get enough experience of playing in those conditions.
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