IND vs AFG 2018: Test cricket will test Rashid Khan, feels Arun Lal

India will play against Afghanistan on June 14.

Rashid Khan will be Afghanistan's USP against India. (Twitter)

Former Indian cricketer Arun Lal feels despite Afghanistan having talented youngsters in the team like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Zadran, India will have no difficulties to win the one-off test against Afghanistan. The Test match is set to be played from June 14-18 at the Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru. Arun Lal has further went onto add that though Rashid is a good ODI bowler he will be tested in Test cricket. 

As Afghanistan gets ready to step in Test cricket, Arun Lal says, "Although Afghanistan have talented youngsters in the form of spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, they do not have the experience of playing a five-day game. They will be handicapped whereas India will be playing at full strength, except Virat Kohli," said the former player who made his debut for team Indian India in 1982 at Chennai.

Arun also added that Rashid Khan will be tested numerous times in the first test when he said "Rashid is a good bowler, but in limited overs cricket [only] and I will be surprised if he doesn't offer half volleys and wide deliveries while bowling for longer periods. It will be difficult for them to adjust to the new format," he said.

Rashid Khan was named the Man of the Series against Bangladesh, taking 8 wickets in three T20 matches. Afghanistan won the T20 series against Bangladesh, beating them 3-0.

On talking about his first Test match, Arun Lal added, "I was not tense, but was short of match practice. The season had yet to start, so I did not have enough practice before playing my debut Test. I adjusted as the innings progressed." He scored 63 and one as the Test ended in a draw.

"It was a memorable day (September 17, 1982). I was ready to offer anything to play for my country. So you can imagine how honoured I was. The current Afghan boys, I am sure they'll be very excited as they make their Test debuts. I hope it will be a good Test. I won't be surprised if they give us a good fight, but that won't be adequate," he acknowledged.

(Inputs From Mid Day)
 

 
 

By Kunal Kataria - 09 Jun, 2018

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