10 Afghan Cricketers to be Coached Abroad

KABUL, May 29 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Ten players of the Afghanistan cricket team - eyeing a debut in the 2011 World Cup - will receive advanced and elaborate coaching in the departments of batting, bowling and fielding in England and India.

Taj Malik Alam, Afghan Cricket Federations chief secretary and coach of the national team, said on Tuesday three players - Muhammad Nabi Ahmadzai, Hameed Hasan and Noor Ali - were already in England representing different clubs.

In addition to playing club-level cricket, the ACF official told Pajhwok Afghan News, the trio would also receive training and professional advice from senior coaches during their stay in England.

Another seven cricketers will be leaving for India next month to attend a 10-day coaching camp, to be conducted by legendary former Australian all-rounder Dennis Lillie at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai.

Nominated for the course are Raees Ahmadzai, Kareem Sadiq, Hasti Gul Abid, Daulat Ahmadzai, Nauroz Mangal, Shahpur Zadran and Ahmad Shah Ahmadi. Alam said the Asian Cricket Council would sponsor the players trip to, and stay in, the Indian city.

Alam continued the coaching was essentially aimed at preparing the national side for a series of upcoming international one-day cricket tournaments for teams without Test status, administered by the International Cricket Council.

In the 2008 global division five, Afghanistan, Bahamas, Botswana, Germany, Jersey, Mozambique, Nepal, Norway, Singapore, the United States plus two qualifiers from East-Asia Pacific region will be vying in the league-system event for the 2011 World Cup qualification.

He viewed the foreign tours as a propitious sign for players sound grooming and grounding ahead of international competitions, where Afghanistan would have to put in robust performances to qualify for the 2011 cricket extravaganza.

Former skipper Raees Ahmadzai believed they could gain a lot of valuable pointers and tips from the erstwhile Aussie great during the 10-day Chennai camp.

His colleague Karim Sadiq also hoped the training would immeasurably enrich the participants knowledge of fundamentals of the game. The camp would go a long way in keeping the players abreast of international cricket standards, he concluded.

Reported by Javed Hamim
Translated & edited by S. Mudassir Ali Shah