'We will try to give them a tough time' - Rahmat Shah reflects on upcoming Test against New Zealand

Afghanistan all-rounder Rahmat Shah recently came forward and analysed his side’s upcoming clash against New Zealand. It is worth noting that Afghanistan is all set to take on New Zealand in an only Test game at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida, from September 9.

This will be the first time that Rahmat Shah will face New Zealand in Test cricket, and despite the major gap in experience between both sides, Shah seems confident in his side’s abilities to emerge victorious against the Black Caps. 

The game will be played in Greater Noida, where Afghanistan has previously played six T20Is and five ODIs. The venue would provide them with a sense of familiarity, and Rahmat Shah is aiming to seize the opportunity. 

"This Test is important. We have got only one Test match against them. We will try to give them a tough time. They have won the ICC Test Championship and we tried to have the best of preparations and we are looking forward to the challenge that is lying ahead,” Rahmat Shah told Cricbuzz. 

"Our past experience in India will help us. We had our home ground in Noida and in Lucknow, and we have played a lot of matches here and done a lot of camps here. We are also accustomed with the weather and pitch conditions of India, so we certainly have an edge," he added. 

It is worth noting that Rahmat Shah is the leading run getter for Afghanistan in ODIs and Test cricket, and he has managed to achieve such a feat by making some necessary technical tweaks into his game. 

"I just tried to concentrate more and practice more (to make some technical adjustments). Earlier my shoulder used to get open and I tried to make it sideways and tried to straighten my alignment,” Shah said.

With the first Test approaching, and playing under familiar conditions in Greater Noida, Afghanistan will hope for some advantage to them against the Black Caps as they gear up for a tough assignment.