Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons names the comedian of the team

Afghanistan is all set to lock horns against India in their first ever Test match at the M Chinnaswamy in Bangalore on Thursday. They earned the full member status last year from International Cricket Council (ICC) along with Ireland. The team has gelled well together after playing so many matches over the years and share a special camaraderie. However, the coach Phil Simmons has now opened up about the players and their qualities.

They will be high on confidence no doubt going into the Test match after defeating Bangladesh in the three consecutive T20 Internationals. They played like a higher ranked side against the World number 10 T20I team and thumped them with authority.

Who is the comedian?

Phil Simmons, in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, revealed that Mohammed Shahzad is the comedian of the team and keeps the environment in the dressing room alive. “He is the comedian of the team but someone who always has the team at heart. He understands the game but at the same time can make things funny so that anyone doesn’t take it seriously. Everything he comes across is something important,” he said while speaking about the explosive opener.

Simmons also spoke highly about the senior players like Asghar Stanikzai and Mohammad Nabi while terming the former as the true leader. “Stanikzai is a leader among men and he is like shepherd as all the people follow him. Nabi is the number 1 role model of the team from the way he carries himself. All the players look up to him and he is now the senior pro in the team,” the 55-year-old added.

However, he had some special words for Rashid Khan who has been bamboozling the batsmen like a norm with his leg-spin. “Rashid is a phenomenal talent who continues to improve and continues to excite the world,” Simmons went on to say.

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