PERTH: Afghanistan coach Andy Moles believes his team are capable of regrouping after a record drubbing at the hands of Australia in a defeat he said felt like being hit by a ‘freight train’.

Moles defended the decision to bowl after winning the toss, saying they believed their only possible hope of winning against Australia was to chase down a total.

“I’ll be doing my best to make sure they don’t go into their shells,” he said. “I keep telling them to express themselves and play with the freedom Afghanistan cricket has been known for.

“New Zealand have got off to a great start, winning all their games and we’re playing them at their home.

“We ran into a freight train [in Perth], we were out-skilled and out-bullied and they were exceptional.

“We came up short, we have to get better.”

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2015

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