Misbah says 'dangerous' Afghan cricket team can give 'tough time' to other teams

Islamabad, Feb 12 (ANI): Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq has praised the Afghan team's fighting spirit despite their loss in a one-day international to his side, saying they could give other teams a tough time. Pakistan beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first-ever one-day international between the two countries in Sharjah on Friday. Afghanistan made 195 runs, and hit six sixes during the match, and also took two early wickets when Pakistan batted. Misbah said he was impressed by Afghanistan's performance. "It was a good game. The way the Afghanistan team played I am really happy. They have some really good, exciting cricketers," the Daily Times quoted him, as saying. t was "a good beginning" for the Afghan side, he added. Afghanistan earned its one-day status in 2009 and have since achieved several milestones, qualifying for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean and finishing as silver medallists in the Asian Games in China, both in 2010. They also won the Inter-Continental Cup, meant for associate teams, in 2010. "I think Afghanistan can give tough time to Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and even to better teams. It is all about experience and if they play more cricket against good teams in the world, they are going to improve." Misbah said. "T20 or for one-day, this is a dangerous side. They can still improve and they have excellent fighting spirit. They put in a lot of effort in fielding," he added. (ANI)