Batting coach for Afghanistan team Umesh Patwal, the only Indian in the visitor’s camp, is confident of seeing his wards excelling against India in the much-awaited Test.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan will play their debut Test against India starting from Juen 14 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Patwal, who is with the squad for quite some time now, has seen this bunch grow in confidence under the leadership of Asghar Stanikzai.
The batting consultant Patwal further admitted this is the time to translate the confidence to the longer formats.
“Since this is my third stint with the national team, I have been witness to how the bunch has grown in terms of skill-sets, consistency, and confidence. Now is the time to translate these from white-ball to red-ball cricket,” Patwal told The Hindu.
Admitting that it will be challenging, he said Afghanistan will continue to surprise everyone. Moreover, Patwal is confident to live up to the giant killer tag.
“It will be challenging, but I have no doubt Afghanistan will continue to surprise, even in the longer format. Afghanistan is the giant killer in world cricket and will live up to the tag even in Tests,” he mentioned.
The former cricketer Patwal, who hails from Mumbai has been an integral part in the development of Mohammad Nabi and skipper Stanikzai.
Ever since the duo had a training stint with Patwal in Mumbai in 2008, they kept seeking his advice. The natural progression was to be a member of the Afghanistan national team support staff.
Patwal further admitted his delight when he got a call third time after 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers, in March. Previously, he worked with the Afghanistan side in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
In conclusion, Umesh Patwal admitted that he is fortunate to be a part of this historic Test match.
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