Afghanistan braces itself for the historic clash against Australia - Cricket News Update
In a giant leap forward, the fast-improving http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, the former world champions, in an ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium this Saturday.
This will be only the second instance when the cricket team from the war ravaged country would face-off a Test playing nation after they played against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in February early this year. Most of the Afghan players were born and raised in Pakistan and
honed their cricketing skills during their stay in the refugee camps.
International Cricket Council (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625) granted the affiliate membership to Afghanistan in 2001, which has been progressing well in the cricket arena recently. Two years ago, they finished fifth in the World Cup qualifiers which earned them the right to play
the ODIs.
In another move forward, the young cricketing nation also qualified for this year’s forthcoming ICC World T20 Championship in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, which will be there second successive appearance in the mega-event, where they have been pitched in a tough group A,
alongside defending champion http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
While the minnows are not expected to beat Australia, the Afghan captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nawroz-Mangal-c2084, is relishing the opportunity to play against the four-time World Champions.
“Definitely, it's a big occasion for us and we want to make the best use of it. Australia are real champions and hopefully we can put up a good show. We are thankful to Australia and to the ICC for making this possible," said Mangal, who has played 21 ODIs
so far.
The Afghan skipper is satisfied with their recent performances on the European tour against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753, and is hopeful that his side can improve if they are given regular chances to play against top sides.
"We have done well against Scotland and Ireland but given a chance against Australia is a big thing and we are excited about it. Definitely it's our dream to play matches against top teams and if we get such chances regularly our players will improve," Mangal
further added.
Earlier Cricket Australia (CA) had agreed to play a one-off ODI against Afghanistan in an effort to assist their cricketing development.
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