Afghanistan have the talent to go big in T20 cricket, reckons Lance Klusener
Afghanistan head coach Lance Klusener believes his team already possesses the talent to go big in T20 cricket — their strongest format — especially with the World T20 coming up next year. Afghanistan, who are ranked eighth in the ICC rankings, have only lost one T20I series since the start of 2017.
Having recently come from behind to win a three-match series against the current World T20 champions West Indies in Lucknow, there is no doubting the threat that Afghanistan can possess, come the World T20 in Australia next year. After replacing Phil Simmons as head coach in September, Klusener has laid out his plans for the team, some of which will be in focus during their 10-day training camp in Dubai next month.
"We had a great comeback in the T20 series (against West Indies). Afghanistan's strength is T20 cricket. Our challenge is always to score enough runs. And the non-negotiable for me is fielding,” Klusener explained his plans in a video posted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
“The talent is there, it's amazing, it's young, it's fresh, but sometimes in big games and against very good opposition, it's about decision making, and that has let us down a little bit," he said.
The 48-year-old is excited with the amount of young talent coming through the ranks in Afghanistan has and thus is pinning high hopes on them. However, he is hoping the youngsters will be able to form a meaningful alliance with the experienced players currently in the squad.
"It's a wonderful family to be a part of. We need experienced shoulders, and we need brave young talent. We need to nurture that talent, we need to help it, grow it, and show consistency in selection. Yes, youngsters do frustrate us sometimes but that's why it's important that our batting in the middle has some experience around them and cool heads around them," Klusener added.
