NEW DELHI: Afghanistan are set to face New Zealand in a landmark one-off Test match in Greater Noida, India, starting Monday. As anticipation builds, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his excitement about two young Afghan batters—Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah—whom he believes could be crucial to Afghanistan's future in
Test cricket
.
Ravichandran Ashwin praised the duo on social media platform X, comparing them to former Indian cricket stars Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, who played pivotal roles in India’s cricketing success in the early 2000s.
Ashwin views
Riaz Hassan
and Bahir Shah as key players who could help stabilize Afghanistan’s batting lineup, which has relied heavily on seasoned players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah.
Scorecard: Afghanistan vs New Zealand
"This one-off Test will be fun to watch. We know Afghanistan produces insane talent, but the one area of solidity and stability they need is from their batting department," Ashwin wrote. "They have Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah oozing class, but not much else to follow, and that is why I am excited to see what Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah have to offer."
Ashwin highlighted the duo’s impressive domestic records, pointing out that both players have first-class averages above 55, hinting at their potential to lead Afghanistan into a successful future.
"Both of them are promising, and their first-class averages are in excess of 55. The first signs of India's strong future came via @YUVSTRONG12 and @MohammadKaif in the 2000's as they came through the U-19's," said Ashwin.
Riaz Hassan is 22 years old and has played five ODIs for Afghanistan, scoring 120 runs at an average of 30. However, his first-class form stands out more remarkably, with 901 runs in 18 innings at an average of 56.31, including three centuries and three fifties.
Bahir Shah, who is 24, made his Test debut against Bangladesh last year but managed only seven runs in his sole innings. Still, his first-class career is impressive, having accumulated 3,254 runs at an average of 59.16 from 69 innings, including 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries.
"These two players could give us a sneak peek into what Afghanistan may go on to accomplish in the next decade or so," Ashwin added.
As Afghanistan face New Zealand in this historic match, expectations will be high for Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah. Fans and cricket enthusiasts alike will be watching to see if these promising players can translate their domestic success to the international arena, providing Afghanistan with the batting strength necessary for sustained achievements in Test cricket.
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