Associates teams’ ICC Cricket World Cup preparations in full swing
Afghanistan a "banana peel": Kyle Mills
Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates have tested their line-ups for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with one-day matches against New Zealand A in Dubai.
The results may not have gone as hoped for the Association nations, with New Zealand A recording two solid wins, but Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Noor Mohammad and New Zealand A skipper Kyle Mills have talked up Afghanistan’s chances ahead of the Cup.
Chasing New Zealand A’s 204 in Dubai, Afghanistan were in trouble early losing 6-35.
Mirwais Ashraf (30) and Afsar Zazai (21) combined to steady the innings with a 55 -run partnership but it was not enough to get their team over the line as New Zealand A bowled Afghanistan out for 99.
Quick Dawlat Zadran (2-29) and skipper Mohammad Nabi (2-36) were Afghanistan’s best with the ball, while New Zealand would be happy with the performances of Anton Devcich (55), Nathan McCullum (44) and skipper Kyle Mills (3-16) as they narrow down their World Cup squad.
Prior to the match, Mills said Afghanistan had players capable of putting an innings on the board and bowlers with good pace.
"I firmly believe Afghanistan will be a bit of banana skin for some of the teams in the World Cup, they've definitely got the talent to upset some of the bigger teams,” Mills said.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Noor Mohammad Murad has declared his team will not just participate in the tournament, but to pose a real challenge to the world’s best teams.
“The national team has worked hard to find their way to the World Cup and they would continue preparing themselves in the lead up to the event,” Dr Murad told Pajwak Afghan News on Monday.
Afghanistan have recruited the services of former Queensland and South Australia player Peter Anderson and former New Zealand head coach Andy Moles to help prepare for the World Cup, where they are drawn in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Scotland.
On Sunday, United Arab Emirates met New Zealand A in Dubai, falling to a 78-run loss.
New Zealand A opener Martin Guptill's 75 anchored the New Zealand innings after UAE won the toss, as he put on 111 for the first wicket with Anton Devcich (41).
The Kiwis were all out for 246 in 49.2 overs, with Khurram Khan (3-48) the best of the UAE bowlers.
New Zealand A put immediate pressure on UAE in picking up three wickets in the first 10 overs.
Adam Milne (3-24) and Mills (2-26) received solid back-up from Doug Bracewell's 2-15 as UAE was bowled out for 168 in 48 overs, with Shaiman Anwar (60) top-scoring.
Ireland will be the next Associate nation to test themselves against New Zealand A, with two one-day matches to be played on November 29 and December 1.
UAE and Afghanistan will meet in four one-day matches on November 28, 30, December 2 and 4 at the ICC Academy in Dubai.