Pybus stressed that the team’s success was the result of collective contributions from the bowling attack rather than one individual’s performance While leg-spinner Rashid Khan led the charge with figures of 3/41.
Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus praised his side’s bowling depth, describing it as a “very diverse but a very competent bowling unit” after Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets to win the ODI tri-series final in Sharjah. “The spin bowling has been excellent throughout the week,” Pybus said after the final, as per Cricinfo.
Afghanistan bowled Zimbabwe out for 169 in 43.3 overs before chasing down the target in 34.3 overs. Ibrahim Zadran remained unbeaten on 70, while captain Rahmat Shah contributed 43 to guide the team to a comfortable victory. “So that’s really pleasing.
He’s got a happy team,” Pybus said. He has had seven ODI wins on the trot,” he said. “It’s not always going to be as sweet as that, but he’s made a really great start, and I’ve got absolutely no doubt he’ll continue to lead the team in a very positive and inspiring way,” he added. We need to build a great team,” he said, as per Cricinfo. They have been exceptional this week,” Pybus said, as per Cricinfo. Pybus said Afghanistan were making progress towards building a squad capable of adapting to different playing conditions around the world, pointing to contributions from both the batting and bowling departments in recent weeks. We need to develop a side that can perform in any conditions around the world, and I think we’re starting to get some depth in the squad, with guys turning up and delivering performances,” he said. They’re not handing responsibility to other players to come in and pick up the pieces where they have not executed their own role,” Pybus said.
“We have some fantastic spinners. Rashid has been phenomenal, but he’s not on his own. He’s been supported by a very diverse but a very competent bowling unit, and they end up taking wickets for each other, which is one of the great things,” he added. Rashid’s three-wicket haul extended his remarkable run of taking at least three wickets in six consecutive ODIs, dating back to August. He became only the second bowler after Umar Gul of Pakistan to achieve the feat. Pybus also lauded Rahmat’s leadership, with the Afghanistan captain extending his team’s winning streak in ODIs to seven matches since taking charge. “Rahmat is wonderful as captain. He’s a very calm, assured player. He leads with authority. He is very inclusive. “I think it is equally important as a captain to carry that responsibility with the bat. We have been seeing it since the Ireland tour [in August]. His performance during the one-off Test match against Bangladesh didn’t get the credit that it deserved, but he was outstanding with his century and the half-century. Despite Afghanistan’s recent success, Pybus emphasised that regular opportunities to compete against higher-ranked teams remained crucial to the side’s development across formats. “We have got some great players. “The side is an evolving team. We don’t get the quality of opportunity that some of the other Full Member sides get in terms of playing the top teams consistently, which I think is really critical for our development as a side. “We still have to turn up and do a really great job against the sides we play. Bangladesh are a very dangerous side and Zimbabwe may have struggled to beat Afghanistan, but in the first match of this series, Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh and put in a really comprehensive performance. So I don’t want to take anything away from our guys. The coach also credited the players and support staff for managing the demanding heat and humidity in the UAE, where conditions tested the players throughout the tri-series. “Credit to the boys for being able to cope with the heat and the humidity. “Credit to the backroom staff for the work they put in to make sure all the guys are fit and that we have a full squad to select from. I think that’s really positive. It was a testament to their conditioning work. “I just think the side is in a good place. We came off the back of a positive series in Ireland. We’re looking to build a side that can adapt to different conditions. Afghanistan’s recent performances included centuries from Rahmat and Sediqullah Atal in the Test match, while fast bowlers Mohammad Saleem and Yameen Ahmadzai delivered lengthy spells. In the ODI tri-series, Rashid and Ibrahim emerged as key contributors. “Guys really get stuck into their work. Just the consistency across the board from the seam bowling, whether in Abu Dhabi or here on the flat wickets, has been pretty good. I’m looking forward to the T20 guys and seeing what we’ve got in the squad there. We’ve got competition for places,” he concluded. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
