Afghanistan ready for Intercontinental Cup challenge

Afghanistan allrounder, Raees Ahmadzai, has said his team's batsmen are looking forward to their debut in the Intercontinental Cup, against Zimbabwe A, starting in Mutare today. The team recently had a 10-day training camp in Kabul, which included a three-day game and two two-day games as part of their preparations for their foray into multi-day cricket at the ICC level.

"Some of the players made hundreds, so we will hopefully do some good in Zimbabwe in the four-day match," Ahmadzai told Cricinfo. He said the team had been busy playing club cricket in Afghanistan and "everyone is in good form."

Afghanistan qualified for the Intercontinental Cup, the ICC's multi-day format competition for its Associate and Affiliate members after finishing fifth in the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa in April.