The Afghanistan cricket team coach offered to play international matches in Pakistan.

Former Test bowler Kabir Khan, who now coaches Afghanistan, said Pakistan had been a big supporter of Afghanistan cricket and the Afghans would like to return the favour now.

"The team feels that at this time when Pakistan cricket is facing problems and no team is willing to play in Pakistan we can play one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches if they want," he said.

Many of the Afghan players have learnt their cricket in Pakistan and Kabir himself is a former Pakistani Test player from the North West Frontier Province which is in close proximity to Afghanistan.

Kabir felt that his team could provide good competition to Pakistan if they were willing to play international matches.

"Our players have no security fears playing in Pakistan because they have faced the same problems that are facing the Pakistani people. It would also provide our team good practice before the Twenty20 World Cup.

"As it is we have to play regularly against top teams to progress in international cricket," he said.

The Afghanistan team is presently based at the national cricket academy in Lahore undergoing specialised training under Pakistani coaches on the invitation of the cricket board here.

Kabir said for the Afghani players, a lot of Pakistani and Indian cricketers were a big source of inspiration and the youngsters keenly watched the videos of top players and picked up their traits quickly.

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