Pybus lauds Afghanistan's 'very diverse but very competent bowling unit'

Afghanistan's support cast of bowlers played their part well, their coach Richard Pybus said after they ran roughshod over Zimbabwe in the ODI tri-series final in Sharjah on Friday, with Rashid Khan playing the lead with 3 for 41 to set up a seven-wicket win.

Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169 in 43.3 overs and Afghanistan went past the target in 34.3 overs, Ibrahim Zadran scoring 70 not out and captain Rahmat Shah 43. That they had it so easy was in the main down to Rashid, who has now made it six ODIs in a row - going back to August - where he has picked up at least three wickets, the second bowler after Pakistan's Umar Gul to achieve the feat.

"The spin bowling has been excellent throughout the week," Pybus said after the final. "We have some fantastic spinners. Rashid has been phenomenal but he's not on his own. He's been supported with a very diverse but a very competent bowling unit and they end up taking wickets for each other, which is one of the great things."

Rahmat, who recently took over as Afghanistan's Test captain, has now led them to seven consecutive ODI wins.

"[Rahmat] is wonderful as captain. He's a very calm, assured player. He leads with authority. He is very inclusive. He's got a happy team," Pybus said. "I think it is equally important as a captain to carry that responsibility with the bat. We have been seeing it since the Ireland tour [in August]. His performance during the [one-off] Test match [against Bangladesh] didn't get the credit that it deserved, but he was outstanding with his century and the half-century. He has had seven ODI wins on the trot.

"It's not always going to be as sweet as that, but he's made a really great start and I've got absolutely no doubt he'll continue to lead the team in a very positive and inspiring way."

Pybus: Playing top sides regularly 'really critical'

Pybus pointed out that Afghanistan could only get better across formats if they played higher ranked sides more regularly.

"We have got some great players. We need to build a great team," he said. "The side is an evolving team. We don't get the quality of opportunity with regards to some of the other Full-Member sides in terms of being able to play the top sides consistently, which I think is really critical for our development as a side.

"We have still got to turn up and do a really great job against the sides that we play against. Bangladesh are a very dangerous side and Zimbabwe, they may have struggled to beat [Afghanistan] but in the first match of this series, Zimbabwe turned over Bangladesh and put in a really comprehensive performance. So I don't want to take anything away from our guys."

Playing in the UAE brings with it its own set of concerns, especially the heat and humidity. Players were seen struggling during the day time in the tri-series match, particularly in the final when several of them were on their haunches after a bit of running.

"Credit to the boys for being able to cope with the heat and the humidity. They have been exceptional this week," Pybus said. "Credit to the backroom staff for the work which they put in to make sure that all the guys are fit and having a full squad to be able to select from. I think that's really positive. It was testament to their conditioning work.

"I just think the side's in a good place. We came off the back of a positive series in Ireland. We're looking to build a side which can adapt to different conditions. We need to develop a side which can perform in any conditions around the world and I think we're starting to get some depth in the squad and guys turning up and putting the performances in."

Afghanistan had several standout individual performances in the last couple of weeks in the UAE. Rahmat and Sediqullah Atal struck centuries in the Test match, while the fast bowlers Mohammad Saleem and Yameen Ahmadzai put on long spells. Then, in the tri-series, Rashid and Ibrahim put in starring performances.

"Guys really get stuck into their work. They're not handing responsibility for other players to come in and pick up the pieces where they have not executed on what they need to do in their role," Pybus said. "So that's really pleasing. Just the consistency across the board from the seam bowling, bowling at Abu Dhabi, bowling here on the flat wickets, I think we've been pretty good. I'm looking forward to the T20 guys and seeing what we've got in the squad there. We've got competition for places."