Afghanistan arrive for training tour in Pakistan

Afghanistan cricket team. PHOTO: FILE/AFP

KARACHI: The Afghanistan cricket team, accompanied by coach Kabir Khan, arrived in Lahore yesterday for a month-long training tour to prepare for international assignments.

The Afghan contingent includes 22 players and five officials and will stay at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the training camp.

During their four-week trip, the visiting team will play a dozen matches with various local teams including the Pakistan A side. The matches include four twenty20s and eight one-day matches.

The touring team will also be assisted by the NCA coaches, according to a Pakistan Cricket Board official.

Khan described the training programme at NCA as ‘very important’.

“It is a very good opportunity for our players to learn from coaches at NCA,” he said. “We strongly believe this will add to our experience and confidence to perform up to a higher level.”

Meanwhile, NCA Games Development Director Intikhab Alam said the prime aim of Afghan team’s tour is to build their team for the World Cup qualifying round.

“Our experienced coaches will be imparting finer points of the game to bring improvement in the batting, fielding and bowling of the Afghan players,” said Alam.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2013.