That very moment when the IPL franchises raised their bids to add some notable talent from the desert nation, history had been created. Out of the five Afghanistan players, two got drafted into the IPL and both will be representing the Sunrisers Hyderabad. All-rounder Mohammad Nabi and leg-spinner Rashid Khan looked pretty relaxed as the orange army welcomed them with fondness. In a candid chit-chat with IPLT20.com, the duo spoke about their bond, their eagerness to make this IPL count and why the whole of Afghanistan will be glued to the TV sets once the IPL ride beings.

About new beginnings

Mohammad Nabi: It is an honour for both of us to have been selected in the IPL. Everyone was waiting for the auction when we were named in the IPL Auction pool. We were in Zimbabwe at that time and it was early in the morning when we switched on our TV sets to catch a glimpse of the auction and see if we would be selected. When I was picked up by the Sunrisers, my joy knew no bounds. It is a very big achievement for me and my teammate here. It is a huge moment for Afghanistan cricket. The reception back home was brilliant. It is a dream come true for me to be a part of this league.

Rashid: I have always wanted to play this tournament and I would often wonder how it would feel to be a part of the IPL. That dream is now a reality and here I am in Hyderabad ready to fulfill my dream. We as a nation and individual have worked hard to get here and it is time for us to make this IPL an enriching experience.

IPL – the learning curve

Rashid: It is a huge opportunity for both of us. We have a great coaching staff here with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. I am looking forward to working closely with Muttiah Muralitharan and it is going to help me a lot. Just being with names like Yuvraj Singh, David Warner and Kane Williamson gives me a different thrill. I can learn a lot by sharing the dressing room with such legends of the game. Hopefully we can take a lot of positives from this tournament and take it back home in Afghanitsan and become better cricketers.

Nabi: This is the world’s biggest T20 league and everyone is going to be watching. How you handle pressure and maintain composure under pressure situations will be of prime importance. It is an opportunity for both of us to observe the big players from close quarters and see how they handle pressure situations. This is going to be a huge learning curve.

A brotherly bond – on & off the field

Nabi: The first time I saw him at the nets, I knew he had a spark in him and told him at that very moment that he will be in the national side if he works hard. He has done it and here he is with me, part of the national team and now the IPL side. It is a proud moment for me to see Rashid come up the ranks. Rashid has come into the limelight of international cricket very soon in his career. He started playing with the hard ball only a few years back and he is already touted for big things. He has learnt the art of leg-spin bowling very soon and that too at a quick pace. He has shown what kind of talent he possesses.

Rashid: Nabi is a wonderful person to have in the team. He is always supportive and motivating. He is a force that gives confidence. As he said, I first met him in the academy and I gave trials for three consecutive days to the coach with no positive response. Nabi asked me to work hard and supported me through that phase and has been special to me on and off the field.

What does Rashid bring to the table?

Rashid: I have the leg-spinner, the top spinner and then the googly. These are the main weapons I am using in the nets and the match. In the upcoming matches, I will try and improve it more for better effectiveness. I want to try my variations against some big players and see how they read my variations.

Nabi: It is easy to pick and read him, but that is because we are used to playing him (laughs). He can be deceptive with his subtle variations and there are a few members in the Afghanistan squad who still can’t read him off the hand. Even the wicket-keepers have a tough time picking his deliveries. I feel he is going to be a key component in this IPL.

Talking cricket with Mr. Moody

Rashid: Our coach asked me about my gameplans. He wanted to know the frame of mind I was in. He has asked me not to get too worried about the situation or about the IPL stage. He just told me to go there and enjoy myself. There is a lot of support from the team management and there are a lot of positive vibes around. They have given me a lot of encouragement to go and express myself on the field. We will try our best and play good cricket.

Nabi: We had a good meeting with our coach Tom Moody. He asked me about my strong points with regards to my bowling, batting and fielding. It has been a very casual discussion until now and we will be looking to put certain things into practice when we hit the nets before the first game.

“Switch on your TV sets, when Nabi-Rashid are on the field”

Nabi: When the IPL starts, every Afghan cricket fan is going to be glued to the TV sets. They have a lot of expectations from us and we won’t disappoint. I am sure they will support the Sunrisers Hyderabad. I am excited to play with the big names in our team and I can’t wait for the IPL to begin.

Rashid: Afghanistan cricket is going to be seen in a different light when we walk out in the IPL. We look forward to learn and work hard these two months. Euphoria and pride aside, this is a crucial phase in our cricketing careers. We will try our best, put our best foot forward, learn from this experience and take back memories to Afghanistan.