KABUL – As part of their preparations for next year’s WorldCup, Afghanistan have sent the first batch of selected senior and juniorcricketers to India for a two-week training from foreign coaches, thecricket board said on Friday.

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s selection committee head Nawroz Mangal told apress conference in Kabul that a total of 43 players would be sent to Indiafor the same purpose in three batches.

“We sent 22 players in the first group, they would stay in India for twoweeks to be assessed by foreign trainers. On return they would be selectedin the national side with recommendations of their trainers.”

He said the second batch would consist of 16 players and the reaming fivewould be sent later. Mangal said if the players failed to satisfy theirmentors, they would be given a second chance. He said those sent India hadbeen part of the national side and local clubs.

“We are doing this to give new talent the chance to play in the nationalside and to have much preparation for the 2019 World Cup.” The formercaptain said 20 to 24 players were required for all departments of the gamein the national side to be picked for the mega event.