Afghanistan’s IPL exports Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan Arman have both said they are ready to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore along with their teammates Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of the India Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday.

Of the five Afghans selected for last month’s IPL auction, Nabi and Rashid were bought.

In training in Hyderabad this week however both Nabi and leg-spinner Rashid looked pretty relaxed alongside their fellow ‘Orange Army’ teammates.

In an interview on IPL’s website, the duo spoke about their bond with each other and their eagerness to make this IPL count and why the whole of Afghanistan will be glued to the TV sets once the IPL ride begins.

“It is an honor 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,” Nabi said during the interview adding that “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.”

The national cricket team’s 18-year-old Rashid also said that he had wanted to play in the IPL and it was “his dream that is now a reality.”

“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 individuals have worked hard to get here and it is time for us to make this IPL an enriching experience,” Rashid said.

He believes that playing in the IPL is a huge opportunity for both of them as they will work with great coaching staff.

“It is a huge opportunity for both of us. We have 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,” Rahid said.

He went on to say that “hopefully we can take a lot of positives from this tournament and take it back home in Afghanistan and become better cricketers.”  

In the meantime, Nabi believes that IPL is the biggest T20 leagues in the world and has millions of viewers around the world as followers.

“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,” he said.

Talking about Rashid, Nabi says that the first time he met him he knew he had potential and that he was extremely proud of the teenager.

“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,” he said.

“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,” he added.

Regarding Nabi, Rashid says that he 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,” he said.

Nabi also said once the IPL kicks off, Afghan cricket fans will 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,” he said.

Rashid says that 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,” he said.

His rise through cricket is said to be nothing short of a dream especially after being picked up recently by Sunrisers for about $600,000 USD.

This year’s IPL kicks off on Wednesday where Sunrisers will take on Royal Challengers at the Rajiv Ghandi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The match will be broadcasting in Afghanistan on Lemar TV. Wednesday’s match will start at 6.30pm local time.