Afghanistan have a mountain to climb, says Phil Simmons

06/16/2018

BCCI

After Afghanistan's forgettable Test debut, Phil Simmons remarked that there is a huge disparity between the top Test nations and Afghanistan, which can only be filled by playing a lot of A-series cricket. However, he added that the team have the potential to become a good Test-playing country.

It was a remarkable day for Afghanistan cricket when they took on India for their first ever Test match at Bengaluru. However, as far as their game was concerned, there was a huge disparity between hosts India and debutants. India scored 474 in first innings, while Afghanistan were bowled out for 109 in first innings and 103 in the second innings to lose the game by a huge margin of an innings and 262 runs. Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons, on Friday, said his “team has a mountain to climb” before it emerges as a strong Test playing nation.

“I believe, the team has the potential to emerge as a good Test-playing country but the task at its hands is like climbing a mountain,” Simmons was quoted as saying by PTI.

Before the match, Simmons had called batting as the weakest link in the side and his worst fear came true when the visitors were bowled out twice on day two.Afghanistan were all out for 109 in their first innings before being bowled out for 103 in second, thus ending the Test with a combined score being just 212, which is fewest against India for a match which produced results.

When asked if they would have preferred facing a lower-ranked team over India coach Simmons replied that the match may have been competitive in that case but they would not have learnt much as they did facing India, the number one Test side in the ICC rankings. Simmons also backed their spinners after a torrid start but admitted that they (Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Zadran) won't be happy with their performance.

“The first two sessions of day one did not go their way, but as the game progressed, they showed glimpses of what they are capable of, but I don’t think they will be happy with their performance,” Simmons said.

“You can play as many four days matches, but facing number one team in the world has showed in a big way how competent Test cricket is,” he said.

When asked how can they bridge the gap between top nations and Afghanistan, Simmons said Afghanistan have to play a lot of A-series cricket against India, England, Australia and Bangladesh.

“I think there have to be a lot more A-series against India, Australia, England and Bangladesh. That is the best way to close this (domestic and international cricket) gap,” he added.

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