Looking to hold camp in Qatar or Abu Dhabi for Afghanistan's T20 WC preparations: ACB CEO

Hamid Shinwari, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO, has said that a preparation camp is on cards for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Qatar and Abu Dhabi are the most likely venues Shinwari is targeting. Afghanistan’s supposed home series against Pakistan got cancelled and the team has left with little less preparation time for the global event, which is set to begin on October 17 in Oman and UAE.

However, Shinwari is optimistic of a potential T20 tri-series with Australia and West Indies set to be scheduled before the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan is placed in Group B alongside India, Pakistan, New Zealand. Two more teams are set to join the four teams from the Qualifiers.

“We had to play with Pakistan and Sri Lanka but due to unavailability of flights, we had to postpone it to 2022. We are about to play a tri-series against West Indies and Australia before the T20 World Cup. Our team is preparing for it. After the agreement with Australia and West Indies, we will conduct the series,” Shinwari told Times of India.

Shinwari further opined that the T20 World Cup is an important event for Afghanistan and, players like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman are crucial players in the squad.

“The T20 World Cup is an important event and, Afghanistan is considered one of the favorite teams at the event. We would like to hold a camp for the T20 World Cup after a tri-series if we have time. It is worth mentioning that players like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman are important for our squad,” he added.

Hamid Shinwari is confident about having camp before the T20 World Cup

Shinwari is hopeful of having a preparatory camp before the global event and feels Qatar or Abu Dhabi are the likely venues for the same. “It will be decided if you remember due to the recent pandemic across the globe, the World Cup has been shifted to the UAE. We will try to have our camp in Qatar or Abu Dhabi, so let’s see. Afterwards, we will be participating in the mega event.”

Shinwari has also confirmed the Afghan players’ participation in the UAE leg of IPL by granting NOCs. “We have given them NOC’s, they will be participating in the IPL. It is an important event before the T20 World Cup, we are optimistic our team will have successful results,” he added.