Afghanistan U-19 cricket team to train in Chennai

The Afghanistan Under-19 team will be trained in Chennai, ahead of their World Cup qualifiers in Singapore next month.

The 18-member team along with six support staff would begin training at the CSS-Whatmore Centre for Cricket at Sri Ramachandra Medical College (SRMC) campus from Tuesday, June 27.

The team management had earlier planned to land in Noida, where the senior Afghanistan team has its training base. But since Chennai has similar conditions to that of Singapore, the team decided to start training at Chennai, M Sanjay, head of cricketing operations at the facility, told PTI on Monday, June 26.

The 19-day preparatory camp will have Afghan U-19 team play a few matches against local second division teams.

"The Afghanistan players will have net sessions and centre wicket practice and also play practice matches during their stay here," Sanjay said.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Ranji Trophy probables are training at the centre for the forthcoming season.

Former Australian cricketer and renowned coach Dav Whatmore, who has been roped in as the team's coach, has been interacting with the players.

Afghanistan’s national team has become a force to be reckoned with.

Recently, on June 22, Afghanistan along with Ireland Cricket acquired full membership and Test status from ICC. These two nations have now become the 11th and 12th nations to be awarded Test status.

Expressing his happiness over the announcement, Afghanistan head coach Lalchand Rajput said that it was a great moment for the staff and the people of the country.

In regard to gaining some identity in cricket world, spinners like Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi made their mark in the Indian Premier League.

Khan was the sixth-highest wicket-taker in his debut IPL with 17 wickets. However, Nabi had to sit-in as substitute player. Before the IPL saga, the country’s achievement was recognised during their performance in ICC World T20 2016.

Last year, Afghanistan's national team shifted its base from  Sharjah in United Arab Emirates to Noida, Delhi, while India's  former batsman Lalchand Rajput replaced Pakistan's Inzamam- ul-Haq as their national team coach.

Recently, they managed to beat West Indies in an ODI, drawing an away  series 1-1.

Photo Courtesy (Twitter)