ZCZC
BSP-15
CRICKET-AFG-ZAZAI
Afghanistan looking to wrap up famous Test victory amid rain threat
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 8, 2019 (BSS)- Afghanistan wants the rain to stay away to
allow them some game time to wrap up the victory as they are just four
wickets away to create a history which could change the cricketing landscape
of the war-torn nation.
Rain is on the forecast in Chattogram tomorrow, leaving Afghanistan in
apprehensive state but their excitement to win the Test is clearly visible in
their approach.
Afghanistan earlier in their previous Test beat Ireland but beating a
senior Test team like Bangladesh will mean a lot for them. The victory would
also give them the second Test win in just three. Only Australia won two Test
matches in their first three Tests in the history.
Afghanistan reduced Bangladesh to 136-6 on day four after setting 398-run
target, meaning the hosts still need 262 with four wickets hands.
“We are bit excited because we are in a good position. I think Bangladesh
didn’t lose any Test match from last year and yes, we should be excited
because we are doing well. So, we have good opportunity to beat them
tomorrow,” said Afghanistan’s wicket-keeper Afsar Zazai.
“I think rain is not in our hand. We are just focusing what we actually
can do. Tomorrow we have to pick four wickets and I hope the rain doesn’t
happen tomorrow and we have some good cricket.”
Zazai said the win will mean a lot for their country’s cricket.
“It means a lot to be honest. The people know about us good enough in
white-ball cricket. So, they don’t have much experience in Test cricket. In
the Test and the previous Test we played against Ireland, we showed that we
can play Test cricket as well. I think it means more than Twenty20 and ODI
for us. We have discussed in our dressing room that this Test match is very
important for us to win because we want to show that we can play Test
cricket,” Zazai said.
He thought the Test win will only give them the reward of their hard work.
“I think the difference is that we batted really well. We worked hard
during our preparations. Our coaching staff especially our batting coach
Nawroz Mangal, the former captain, he did a great job with us and he gives a
lot of confidence to the boys. You know about our spinners and they are
quality spinners and I think this is the big difference between us and them.”
“I think we played really well. At first we also batted well and when our
spinners came to bowl, they bowled brilliantly. So, that is the difference,”
said the Afghan wicket-keeper.
BSS/SMP/SSS/1911 hrs