(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) googletag.defineSlot('/1251894/SportsInArticle300x250', [300, 250],'div-gpt-ad-1479040650788-3').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSyncRendering(); googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1479040650788-3'); High-flying Afghanistan could be handed the tag of favourites to win the Desert T20 Challenge tournament that gets under way in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from Saturday.
They are familiar with the conditions in the UAE and also fresh from beating the hosts 3-0 in a T20 Series recently.
But this abridged version is such that making a prediction would be churlish. And, who better than their coach would vouch for it.
Former India cricketer and Afghanistan coach Lalchand Rajput categorically stated that in T20s there are no favourites.
"We beat UAE which is a strong team when they play at home so it gives us that impetus and confidence going into this tournament.
"But in T20 there is no such thing as 'favourites', nothing is 'guaranteed'. We all know that just one over can change the game, either with the bat or the ball," added the 55-year-old who was considered one of the best openers after Sunil Gavaskar.
"The main thing about this team is the consistency level. So far we have played 15 games and won 11. Secondly I would like the players to believe in themselves that they can win more matches," said Rajput who played 2 Tests and 4 ODIs in his two-year international career.
"We played a four-day game against England Lions so the more four-day games they play the better they become. They are good in T20 format but they have to try and play the longer format as well."
Rajput is happy that the boys are eager to work hard and learn which makes the coach's job easy. He also praised the Afghanistan Cricket Board for giving him a free hand.
Afghanistan have a packed schedule until June. "We have a full series - 3 T20s, 5 ODIs and 1 four-day match -- against Ireland in India and then we go to the West Indies in May for 3 T20s and 5 ODIs," confirmed their coach.
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