Afghanistan ready for maiden Test

BANGALORE, India (AP):

Afghanistan will take a sense of excitement, not nerves, on to the pitch for their maiden Test match today, skipper Asghar Stanikzai says.

Afghanistan will become only the 12th Test nation when they face India, the world's top-ranked side. But Stanikzai doesn't expect the enormity of the occasion to affect his players.

"Are we nervous? Not at all because this is the first time I am hearing that word," said Stanikzai. "We are excited, and the people back home are excited that we are playing the number one-ranked side in our first Test."

Afghanistan have made quick strides in white-ball cricket since their international debut in 2001. They played at the ODI World Cup for the first time in 2015 and have already qualified for next year's championship in England.

They also reached the Super Ten stage in the World T20 in 2016 and beat eventual champions West Indies in a league match.

"The domestic structure is now in place back in Afghanistan. Players are coming through different grades and progressing quickly. We have a young pacer (18-year-old Wafadar) to showcase in this game as well. The exciting thing about Afghanistan cricket is that there is a great young talent pool available, and it only bodes well for the future of this team," said coach Phil Simmons, who has previously been in charge of Zimbabwe and Ireland.