04 March,2018 09:28 AM IST | Harare | AFP
Phil Simmons
Phil Simmons insists that leading Afghanistan to the 2019 World Cup and not exacting revenge over his West Indies compatriots is his only priority when the 10-team qualifying tournament gets underway today.
Simmons, who played 26 Tests and 143 ODIs for the West Indies from 1987 to 1999, was sacked as coach of the Caribbean side in 2016, just five months after leading them to the World Twenty20 title in India. His sacking had been preceded by a suspension the previous year for publicly criticising the West Indies selection policy. Simmons, 54, took over the reins of Afghanistan in December and his mission to get the newly-minted Test team to a second successive World Cup in England and Wales next year. Afghanistan take on Scotland in their opening match at Bulawayo today with Simmons playing down his team's status as one of the favourites to reach the finals.
Being practical
"I am not putting the favourites tag on me. We have just come here to play cricket, we need to play proper cricket and win this tournament," said Simmons who has plenty of 'inside knowledge' of his opponents in the three-week qualifying event. As well as West Indies, the former all-rounder has coached hosts Zimbabwe and enjoyed a successful eight-year spell in charge of Ireland with whom he reached two World Cups. Afghanistan are in Group B with Zimbabwe, Scotland, Nepal and Hong Kong.
The West Indies, world champions in 1975 and 1979, but forced to qualify this time around, are in Group A with the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Three teams from each pool go through to the Super Sixes where Afghanistan and the West Indies could meet with the top two sides at the end of the process booking their spots at the 2019 World Cup.
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Only winning matters
"I am one of those who wants to win all the time, and I think these guys are the same," added Simmons. "So, the more we will win, the easier it will get for us in the Super Six stage."
The West Indies have endured a torrid few days in Zimbabwe, already losing to Afghanistan in a rain-affected warm-up and then getting bowled out for a paltry 115 by the UAE before left-arm spinner Nikita Miller claimed five wickets to save West Indies' embarrassment.
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