Mohammad Nabi confident spin-heavy Afghanistan can beat any Test side in the world

Waseem Ahmed 22:17 19/03/2019
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  • Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi. Image credit - @ICC/Twitter.

    Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi believes his side are capable of beating any opposition on their day following their historic Test triumph over Ireland.

    The Afghans prevailed by seven wickets in Dehradun in the one-off Test, taking only two matches to open their account in the five-day format. Having been granted Test status alongside Ireland last year, Afghanistan had tasted a defeat against India at Bengaluru in their inaugural match.

    The win over Ireland has made Afghanistan the joint second quickest side in history to register their maiden Test win. Only Australia, who beat England in the first official Test in 1877, have done it faster.

    At Dehradun, Rahmat Shah struck half-centuries in each innings while leg-spinner Rashid Khan picked up a five-wicket haul as Afghanistan clinched victory inside four days.

    Speaking after his side’s win, Nabi said, “It’s a very historic day for the whole of Afghanistan. Every format is different. Test cricket has a different flavour to it.”

    “The way our guys performed in batting and bowling, the kind of comebacks that we did, the way Rahmat Shah and Ihsanullah batted was outstanding.

    “Rashid’s spell yesterday, the first time taking five wickets, it was a matter of great pride. It shows we are ready for Test cricket.”

    With the maiden victory out of the way, Nabi is hopeful that Afghanistan will be presented with more opportunities to play Test cricket.

    “When you win then the teams will tell you to come and play with them. Nobody plays a weak team. They might think that Afghanistan is weak but not so much that we can’t fight them,” he said.

    “We have the world’s best spinners and we are trying to concentrate on our batting line-up. If we can put up a good score on the board then we are confident of beating any team in the world.”

    Afghanistan are next slated to play a Test in August this year when they tour Zimbabwe.

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