‘Brave’ Afghanistan can beat anyone: New Zealand Test

Afghanistan: Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia-Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi on Sunday said his team has the ability to challenge the world’s top teams but will need more experience in Test cricket. Shahidi’s side will host New Zealand at their home ground in India, near New Delhi, from Monday, without key players including spin king Rashid Khan. Afghanistan suffered a poor start to Test cricket in 2018 when they lost to India inside two days but have improved since then. Afghanistan beat New Zealand in this year’s T20 World Cup but have won only three of the nine Tests they have played. “If you look at Test cricket, we are new to this format – we need more experience,” Shahidi told reporters at the Greater Noida ground. “As a team and as a country, we are courageous people and we accept challenges,” he said. “In the future, if we get more chances we will improve and show that we are the best team.” Afghanistan will miss leg-spinner Rashid, who has taken a break to recover from a back injury. Shahidi said it would be “tough” without him but he has faith in the young talent of his inexperienced squad, which also includes 23-year-old spinner Shams ur Rahman. The captain said it is also a chance for new names to come forward. “We have more talented players, this is an opportunity for them to make a name for themselves in the cricket world,” he said. “Everyone is ready to give their best,” he said. “We have talented players, and we can perform well in every department – some of our players have scored centuries in this format,” he said. “It is tough, but if we play to our strengths, we can beat any team.”