Hi Sportsmirchi readers, today we’ve got a chance to interview Afghanistan’s young pace bowler Naveen Ul Haq who captained national side in U-19 world cup 2018. He shared his source of inspiration playing cricket, idol, experience to lead under-19 side and much more in the interview.

Here is the complete interview

Q. Afghanistan is not having a well-known record and history in cricket, so what inspire you to join and play cricket?

A. Well I don’t think so we don’t have a good record or history. Our cricket has proven how that how we came to cricket & in how many years we are here playing test cricket. So I got my inspiration from watching our national team & then the under-19 team who were playing for our country.

Q. How was your experience when you lead U19 team?

A. I really enjoyed the competition & it was a huge honor for me to leading my country in such a big competition with the whole world watching.

Q. What was going in your mind when you beat Pakistan U19 team and then Sri Lanka in 2018 world cup?

A. We had full confidence that we can beat any side in the competition & players were keen to prove themselves & want to do something for our country to make the countrymen proud.

Q. Your idol is Hamid Hassan, fast bowler from your own country. Do you follow or consider any other player as idol from world cricket?

A. Yes, I get a lot of inspiration, motivation & follow the legend M.S. Dhoni – especially his captaincy & always tried to learn seeing his captaincy which i try to implement as much as i can in the recently concluded under-19 world cup.

Q. Afghanistan will be playing their second cricket world cup in 2019. So what are your expectations from the side?

A. We are playing our 2^nd world cup. So I think our team will do better than the last world cup in 2015.

Q. What are your thoughts on mystery spinner Rashid Khan?

A. He is the number one bowler in the world & has proved himself in each single franchisee based league & in international cricket. So I think that is enough about him.

Q. Which batsman do you think, will scare you to bowl? Dangerous batsman according to you, whom you don’t want to bowl?

A. Truly speaking, I am not scared of bowling to any batsman in world cricket as i know if i bowl to a top player then my bowling & game will only improve with that. So I take it very positively.

Q. IPL is one of the most popular t20 leagues around the globe. So if you get a chance to be the part of Indian Premier League, which side you’d like to play for?

A. I would like to play under the legend MSD. So Chennai Super Kings will be my team.

Q. Which team do you think will become world champions in England? Please don’t answer by heart, we know it will be Afghanistan. 🙂

A. Haha. I think India got a very big chance I think to win the cup & obviously I will always support & pray for my country to do well.

Q. When do we can see you in national side? Will we be watching you in England next year?

A. I hope so but as a player, I can only play & do my best with the rest is upto the selectors. I am focusing of giving 100% & rest will happen Inshallah.

Thank you so much Naveen to share a good conversation with us. We wish you all the best to you for future. Hopefully we see you soon as a regular member in national side.

© SportsMirchi.com