BAN vs AFG | Bangladesh are a level above us, but we're not scared of them, says Andy Moles

09/04/2019

Afghanistan's interim coach Andy Moles has asserted that his side are ready to punch above their weight in the one-off Test against Bangladesh which will commence on Thursday. The Chittagong Test will also mark the third-ever Test for Afghanistan, having lost their first and won their second.

Post the disappointment of the 2019 World Cup, the Afghanistan team led by Rashid Khan are all set to write a fresh chapter in the country's history as they will be playing their first Test outside of India when they take on Bangladesh in Chittagong on September 5. Having lost their first-ever Test in Bengaluru under two days, the Afghanistan team put up a spirited effort in their second Test against Ireland in Dehradun to emerge victorious.

Speaking of the encounter, Rashid, who will be captaining his side in Tests for the very first time, said that he will cherish the responsibility which has been handed over to him. Rashid also admitted that the Bangladesh team were a level above his own men but asserted that his side are ready for the challenge.

"(I am) pretty excited. It is a new role to be a captain of the team and will try my best to be positive and enjoy the game," Rashid was quoted as saying by Times of India.

While the skipper had a forgettable outing in his first-ever Test match, he bounced back in style in the second one, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul. Meanwhile, Andy Moles, the newly appointed interim coach of the Afghan side, admitted that the Bangladesh side are level above his men, but asserted that his side are ready to take on the challenge. The 58-year-old also believes that his side are capable of pulling off something special if they execute their plans to perfection.

"We have massive respect for Bangladesh team. They are a level above us. (But) we are not scared of Bangladesh. We are under no illusion that this is going to be a tough examination of our skills. If we could show application and concentration, we are capable of doing something special over the next five days," he added.

Afghanistan will also play a tri-nation T20 series against Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh, which will commence from September 13.