Lucknow all set for West Indies Afghanistan Test encounter
It’s been a couple of years since Afghanistan attained Test status. And so far, it has just three outings - of which two have ended on a winning note - against Ireland and Bangladesh.
So, when they take on the West Indies in a lone Test match at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow from today, there is a big challenge for the Afghans to show their character.
The last time Lucknow hosted a Test match - between India and Sri Lanka in 1994 - most of the Afghanistan cricketers weren’t even born.
With the two new Test entrants Afghanistan and Ireland - not part of the ICC World Test Championship, the opportunities of playing full-length Test series have shrunken further, and that’s why these one-off Tests are of immense importance - to show the skills and develop a temperament to survive for all the five days.
It’s a daunting task for sure, but the Afghan camp is confident of putting up a brave show in a ‘new home ground’.
A squad, which has a perfect mix of youth and experience, Afghanistan has enjoyed success in the past, defeating Bangladesh in its den, a couple of months ago.
And this time too, Rashid Khan’s men have all the potential to go far, against a West Indies side, which looks young.
Most of its top players focusing on franchise leagues, there has been a vacuum in the Test set-up for West Indies, forcing it to concentrate more on limited-over cricket.
But a squad that has Jason Holder as the Skipper and consists of Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul cannot be taken lightly.
In the last two Test series that it played - against England in February and against India in August - there has been a sharp contrast in West Indies’ fortunes.
Playing at home, it managed to pull off a stunning 2-1 win against England, but went down to India quite embarrassingly.