Proud Afghans ask for chance to shine again (2)

"We were talking about practicing for the pace bowlers and on a bowling machine you can put it to 90mph (145kph) but you can't have Dale Steyn bowling at you and swinging the ball," said Khan.

"So you have to face those bowlers to get the experience. Because my players are quick learners when they play against South Africa or India again they will do much better."

Although the team failed to qualify for next year's World Cup, it does have full one-day international status and Khan said he wanted to see his players get chances in foreign leagues and more games on the international stage.

"We have not got a domestic structure in Afghanistan and preparing for a World Cup for three or four weeks isn't enough.

"We want all the big cricket countries to help us in that.

"We've got talent, the boys are quite ready and they are quick learners and we expect that all the cricket nations watching us will help in that regard.

"They could invite players for training camps, they could invite them into the domestic games as professionals or semi-professionals, we don't mind, but they should play cricket.

"They have to play a lot more than a game or two. We've got ODI status, we can play Twenty20 internationals against any country in the world and the teams need to invite us.
Source:China Daily
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