WINDIES FACE AFGHANISTAN CHALLENGE

LUCKNOW: After a nightmarish home series against India where they couldn’t win a single game in any format, West Indies take on a spirited Afghanistan in the first ODI at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The two sides, which occupy bottom rung spots among Test-playing nations in the rankings across all formats, will play three ODIs, three T20s and a Test during the month-long full series at Afghanistan’s adopted home.

West Indies will be desperate to get some wins before they face India in limited-overs series in December. Afghanistan, who put up fighting display in a few matches at the 50-overs World Cup even though losing all their games, have done well in recent times. Since the World Cup, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in a one-off Test and also made it to the final of a T20 tri-series in Bangladesh where Zimbabwe were the other team. The final was abandoned due to rain.

“We need to sharpen our skills in all formats of the game and every series holds a lot of importance as we are planning big at the next World Cup,” Afghan skipper Rashid Khan said on the eve of the first ODI, a day-night game.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons expressed confidence in his team composition. “We have many youngsters in the side who are gaining confidence, and they know their responsibilities well. They are being backed up by the seniors well, and we need to play like a strong unit here,” he said.