IND vs AFG 2018: We have better spinners than India, says Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai

Afghanistan will make their Test debut against India on June 14.

Rashid Khan is currently the top-ranked bowler in the shortest format | AFP

There is a plenty of buzz surrounding around Afghanistan’s first ever Test match against India later this week. Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see how the Test debutants will show up against the numero uno side, which will start their international season after seven weeks of fireworks in the Indian Premier League.

Besides, there is a lot of anticipation concerning the showdown between India and Afghan spinners. While the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have dominated the international circuit for some years, Afghanistan’s mystery spinners such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have taken the cricketing fraternity by storm with their stellar showing in IPL 2018. In fact, Rashid clinched the top spot in ICC T20I rankings for bowlers after claiming 8 wickets in Afghanistan’s 3-0 T20I series victory over Bangladesh at Dehradun.

Seeing the evolution of his spinners, Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai has said that his team has superior spinners than India.

"The whole world knows that [we have very good spinners in] Rashid Khan, Mujeeb [Ur Rahman], [Mohammad] Nabi, Rahmat [Shah], Zahir [Khan]. In Afghanistan, the brilliant thing is that a lot of the young talent that is coming through are spinners, because they all follow Rashid, they follow Nabi, so because of that our spin department is very strong from below. In my opinion, we have good spinners, better spinners than India," Stanikzai was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Stanikzai's confidence is sky high after whitewashing Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series. The Afghan skipper also issued a warning for hosts ahead of the one-off Test in Bangalore, starting on June 14.

"Great preparation for the Test match against India - the morale is high. Last couple of years we have performed well. We want to achieve it for Afghanistan. You see the batsmen, bowlers are all in good form," he added.

Ajinkya Rahane will lead India in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is currently going through the rehabilitation period after suffering a neck injury during the IPL.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 10 Jun, 2018

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