We Have to Learn to Bat for Long Periods, Says Phil Simmons Ahead of Afghanistan's Historic Test Match

The next one year or so can make or break Afghanistan’s fast-improving reputation in international cricket.

The war-ravaged nation has taken significant strides since being given the One-Day International status in 2011. They qualified for the 2015 World Cup and won their first game in the tournament by beating Scotland.

Last year, Afghanistan along with Ireland got the Test status from ICC. They came as the first admission in the game as a Full Member alongside Ireland since Bangladesh gained Test status in 2000. Early this year, they qualified for their second World Cup by winning the ICC World Cup qualifiers.

Big challenges now await for one of the most improved teams in international cricket. And their head coach, Phil Simmons is well aware of the tough road ahead.

The former West Indies international joined Afghanistan in January this year and had already done wonders by guiding the team to next year’s World Cup. But as of now, Simmons along with the whole team would be focussing on their maiden Test.

Afghanistan will play their first Test against none other than current world number one side, India. The game will take place in Bengaluru from June 14.

Afghanistan will have their task cut out against the Indian team which is almost invincible at home.

The newly added members have done well in four-day cricket against the associate nations, but the task ahead is a mighty one. Simmons is banking on his team’s stronger bowling lineup to rise to the occasion.

“The bowling is surely stronger than our batting. But let me tell you even for spinners like Rashid Khan, Mujeed Zadran and Zahir Khan, it will be tough to take wickets. The two (Rashid and Mujeeb) are currently playing the IPL, so I am pretty sure they will come back to us as better bowlers.

“Mujeeb has not yet played longer format for Afghanistan, but I have been following his IPL campaign. He looks a much-improved bowler. Rashid, on the other hand, is a thorough professional, I know he will keep evolving and keep improving,” said Simmons.

On the batting front, he has high hopes from the skipper, Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nadi and Rahmat Shah.

“We have to learn to bat for long periods. As you mentioned, it will be all about patience. Just getting used to the pressure of a Test match,” said Simmons.

The much-anticipated Test might lose some of its shine due to the absence of Virat Kohli. The India skipper might miss the Test to play county cricket ahead of the England tour.

However, Simmons is not bothered by it and feels the absence won’t make much of a difference.

“You are playing India; you are not playing Virat. If he was injured, we would still be playing against a formidable India. The only thing is that my players won’t be able to play against the number one batsman in Test cricket. So it takes away that from us, but as a Test match, it doesn’t take away anything,” he said.