West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard heaped praise over Afghanistan captain and wrist-spinner Rashid Khan, saying he is a "world-class" cricketer, who his team will be wary of during this month's tour to India. 

"Rashid Khan is a world-class bowler," Pollard told reporters ahead of the first ODI in Lucknow on Wednesday (November 6). "It was seen by all of us and all around the world. Again there is no secret about it. Nabi himself has been doing well, he is a classical off-spinner. Mujeeb has done well for himself."

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Having taken over the leadership mettle from Jason Holder, Pollard is aware of his team's technical and temperamental issues in the longer versions of the game. "We as a team, we have to plan how we are going to structure our fifty overs of batting and then our fifty overs of bowling," he said. "Each and every one of us is a good player and has own right to show what we have to offer."

The Calypso Kings can expect to face a lot of spin in Lucknow with renowned bowlers like Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman in the opposition camp besides Rashid. West Indies coach Floyd Reifer said his wards have worked hard to try and tackle that threat. 

"We have not played spin well but at the same time, we still have our plans. We are working hard on getting ourselves to that spot where we can play any kind of spin properly."

"It is about working on how each batsman plays Rashid, Mujib, or Nabi. That's what we gotta work on and that's what we have been doing,"  Reifer said.

With West Indies also due to face India in December for three T20Is and three ODIs, Pollard stressed the importance of this limited-overs series against Afghanistan. 

"It is an important series as the coach has mentioned. All cricket for us is important. As a team, we have made some changes and are looking forward to doing well in the series," he concluded. 

The second and third ODIs will be played on November 9 and 11, respectively, before the three-match T20I series begins two days later. West Indies also takes on the Afghans in a historic standalone Test starting November 27. All matches will be hosted by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. 

(Inputs from ANI)