West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard on Sunday addressed the spin bowling attack of the home side, ahead of the first ODI of three-match series against Afghanistan, as well as called Rashid Khan a “world-class bowler”.
Rashid Khan is world-class bowler
Pollard told reporters in the pre-match conference, “Rashid Khan is a world-class bowler. 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,”
He then further added, “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. Each and every one of us is a good player and has own right to show what we have to offer”
On the other hand, the Afghanistan is studded with star spinners such as Rashid, Mohammad Nabi, as well as Mujeeb ur Rahman. The Windies team finds it tough in order to play the spin on sub-continent pitches as they are not used to it.
At the same time, India also surpassed West Indies in their previous series in all three formats. By considering the results of the previous series, the 32-year-old said it is significant for the side to do well in all the total of three formats.
Pollard further said, “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,”
In the meantime, West Indies coach Floyd Reifer also stressed the fact that Windies players are also not good with the spin as well as they have work on that.
Reifer also stated, “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,”
The coach further added, “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,”
In the meantime, Afghanistan is al set to play three ODIs as well as many T20Is against West Indies, beginning from November 6. All the matches are going to be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium here.
Afghanistan ODI Squad: Rashid Khan (C), Asghar Afghan, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Javed Ahmadi, Afsar Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Ibrahim Zadran, Yamin Ahmadzai, Naveel ul Haq, Ikram Alikhilm, Mujeeb ur Rahman.
West Indies ODI Squad: Kieron Pollard (C), Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Ambris, Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr., Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, and Romario Shepherd.
