Pybus wants Afghanistan to cut dot balls and lift strike rates before Zimbabwe T20Is

Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus has urged his side to work on their dot-ball percentage and strike rates as they prepare for a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which starts in Sharjah on October 27.

Afghanistan were swept aside by India in their last T20I series, with their batting unit falling short of expectations. Over the past year, Afghanistan have recorded a dot-ball percentage of 43 in T20Is, while their strike rate over the same period stands at 136.4.

Focus on batting nuance

Pybus said the side already has power hitters and a group of high-quality all-rounders, but the batting needs to develop.

"In terms of the development of the T20 side I think we know that we've got power hitters and we know that we've got a group of really high-quality all-rounders. I think we've got to develop our batting and the nuance of our batting so that we can just keep the volume of runs flowing," Pybus told Cricbuzz.

"We need to look at our dot ball average and we've got to look at strike rates," he said.

Learning from the India series

Pybus said the defeats against India had still been valuable, allowing him to benchmark his side against one of the best teams in the world.

"For us as a side which is still in its developmental process as a team it (playing against India) has been an opportunity for me to be able to benchmark where we are against a side which is across formats if it's not number one it's one of the top sides in the world," he said.

"It really isn't nice getting beaten that's for sure but if you're going to have an opportunity to be able to benchmark where your side is at against the world champions with them playing at home it was really a fantastic opportunity," he added.

Ibrahim Zadran's captaincy

Rahmat Shah impressed in his new role as Test and ODI captain, while opener Ibrahim Zadran, who was given the T20I captaincy, did not match that with the bat. Pybus, however, said he was pleased with how Ibrahim handled the responsibility in India and was not concerned by his returns.

"We have a new captain Ibrahim and it was, dare I say it, a baptism of fire, you know, to go to India, play in Delhi in front of a packed house, and on a small ground on a perfect batting surface against the world champions," said Pybus. "It doesn't get any tougher than that and I have to acknowledge that he managed the side well and stayed cool under pressure."

Pybus added that Ibrahim, who had served as vice-captain under Rashid Khan, was still adjusting to the move from player to captain but had "acquitted himself well". He described the 'calm' Ibrahim as a leader who "leads by presence and by the authority of his own performance", adding that he is one of Afghanistan's best performers across all three formats.

Rashid Khan backs successor

There had been speculation that Rashid Khan was unhappy after being removed as T20I captain, but Pybus dismissed those suggestions. He said the veteran leg-spinner had been fantastic in the dressing room and had given Ibrahim his full support.

"Rashid is the model professional and I can't think of a better individual to have when you are coming into your captaincy than somebody like Rashid who shares openly and doesn't hold anything back," Pybus said.