ZCZC
BSP-19
CRICKET-AFGHANISTAN-JOVIAL-MOOD
Afghans in jovial mood ahead of the last two matches of tri-series T20
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 18, 2019 (BSS)-As they looked almost confirmed to seal
the final of Tri-nation T20 series, Afghanistan spent the day in relaxed mood
and opted not to take on the field on Wednesday.
This was the first time for them since their arrival in Bangladesh that
they opted not to practice.
This was quite unusual considering they were the team that prepared them
through participating in every net session since the beginning of the Test
series.
They won the one-off Test series and looked to be firmly poised to reach
the final of the ongoing Twenty20 tri-nation after being placed at the top
after the opening phase of the series that is completed in Dhaka.
The ongoing T20I Tri-series featuring hosts Bangladesh, Afghanistan and
Zimbabwe, has now moved to Chattogram where all three second-leg matches will
be played starting with the Bangladesh-Zimbabwe encounter at the Zahur Ahmed
Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday.
After humiliating Bangladesh in their one-off Test in Chattogram prior
to the tri-series, Afghanistan got the better of both the hosts and Zimbabwe
in the ongoing tournament and sit atop the points table and would need just
one win from their last two matches to seal a spot in the final.
They even could move into the final if Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe in their
third match of the tournament.
”We are not having any practice today and boys will spent the day at
the hotel and our activities is limited to gym and swimming in the hotel,”
Afghanistan manager Rahim Jar said here today.
The only area of concern for the Afghans looked to be the unavailability
of interim head coach Andy Moles as he is currently hospitalized in Dhaka for
his infection on his legs.
Moles had sustained the infection during their preparation camp at Dubai
but attended all the practice session wearing a bandage on his leg.
Batting coach Nawraz Mangal is currently looking after them as the head
coach and the former national skipper and selector would be keen to start his
journey on a winning note when they take on Zimbabwe on September 20.
BSS/SMP/BZC/2000HRS