The Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah is confident about facing New Zealand for the first time in Test cricket. Despite a significant gap between the sides in the format, Shah hopes to present a strong challenge against Blackcaps.
Afghanistan has played six T20is and five ODIs in Noida, which gives familiarity for the side, and Rahmat Shah eyes on grabbing this opportunity.
“This Test is important. We have got only one Test match against them. We will try to give them a tough time. They have won the ICC Test Championship and we tried to have the best of preparations and we are looking forward to the challenge that is lying ahead,” said Rahmat Shah.
🚨 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓! 🚨
The @ACBofficials Selection Committee named 16-member squad for the only test match against New Zealand starting this Monday, in Greater Noida, India. The squad is finalized based on players’ performance in the preparation camp.#AfgvsNZ pic.twitter.com/T9uciEkeuZ
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 6, 2024
“Our past experience in India will help us. We had our home ground in Noida and in Lucknow, and we have played a lot of matches here and done a lot of camps here. We are also accustomed to the weather and pitch conditions of India, so we certainly have an edge,” he added.
Rahmat Shah is the leading run-scorer for Afghanistan in ODIs and Test cricket. “I just tried to concentrate more and practice more (to make some technical adjustments). Earlier my shoulder used to get open and I tried to make it sideways and tried to straighten my alignment,” Shah said.
“I just tried to concentrate more and practice more (to make some technical adjustments). Earlier my shoulder used to get open and I tried to make it sideways and tried to straighten my alignment.
“When the fast bowler used to come I used to move towards off stump a bit more and as a result I used to fall down. I used to play my shot through my wrist but now I am trying to take my feet and just worked hard to get it (the new technique) into my batting template.”
Afghanistan who became full members by gaining test status in 2017, are also not part of WTC as they played only just six matches. New Zealand is currently in the third position of the WTC points table with three wins out of six games.
Afghanistan will hope for some advantage against the Black Caps as they gear up for one one-off test. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has named three uncapped players in the squad for the test.
As per the schedule, the one-off test between Afghanistan and New Zealand will be played between September 9 and 13 at Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground.
