Phil Simmons gives an update on Afghanistan team combination for India Test

Team Afghanistan has arrived in Dehradun for their upcoming international assignment. They are set to ‘host’ Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series. While the players are gearing up for the occasions, the eyes of the Afghanistani camp is predominantly on their upcoming historic first Test match. Their head coach, Phil Simmons, recently gave a major update on the team combinations for the Test match.

Afghanistan will take on India in their first ever Test match, which will be played in Bengaluru. Recently, the selectors named a spin-heavy Afghanistani squad for the match. The four spinners included in the squad are – Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zahir Khan, and Hamza Hotak.

Phil Simmons, the team head coach, remarked that playing four spinners is very much a possibility for the visitors. However, the final call will be taken after assessing the pitch on the match day. Furthermore, the coach wants his team to focus on process more than anything else.

“We also have four seamers in the team. We are just preparing and we will decide [on the plan] when we reach in Bengaluru. Once we see how they have prepared the wicket, we will decide whether to play four spinners or not,” Afghanistan chief coach Phil Simmons told Sportstar.

“The main thing is that the players need to start thinking [about] how to play a longer format. It is all about how you practise and it is also about batting for long periods and bowling in

[interaction id=”5b0e90fe31f398444f93223b”]

the right areas consistently. That’s what we are working on,” Simmons remarked.

On the other new Test nation

Phil Simmons also expressed his happiness for the other new Test nation. Along with Afghanistan, Ireland had also received Test status. They recently played their first Test match against Pakistan. Interestingly, Simmons was previously associated with the Irish team as their head coach.

“I have been with Ireland for long and now I am with Afghanistan, it is a great feeling…Test cricket is opening up the door, so it is great to see these two teams playing Test cricket now,” conceded the Afghanistan head coach.

For the latest cricket news, follow CricTracker.