Richard Pybus exclusive – 'I don't have any issues working in Afghanistan'

International cricket is yet to start in Afghanistan due to the political climate, which has prompted foreign coaches to be based outside the country. The Afghanistan Cricket Board recently decided that their new head coach and coaching staff will have to work in Afghanistan.

When ACB announced Richard Pybus as their new head coach, questions arose whether he would agree to stay and work in Afghanistan. When asked by Cricbuzz, he sounded excited about the prospect.

"No, I don't have any issues with it," Pybus told Cricbuzz as he prepares to take charge for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, scheduled from mid-March.

"I've lived in lots of different parts of the world and so I am fine with it. I'm looking forward to that and I'm really looking forward to coming and seeing the talent that is in the country.

"I love the fact that you've just got this really incredible cricket culture. To see the evolution of cricket within the country, how they've moved so quickly to be able to play at a level where they are equal to, and on their day better than, the top sides in the world. We've seen that over the last couple of World Cups.

"So, I'm looking forward to getting out into the provinces and being able to scout players and work with the selectors and get busy on the development of the players. The development of the players is the work which you do behind the scenes outside of the series.

"The side's really developed over a period of time so, as we would have seen at the last couple of World Cups, they're a really serious cricket team now."

Pybus said his major focus will be on developing relationships with the cricketers and understanding the depth chart.

"So for now it's getting to know the players, getting to know the leadership, settling with the team. They've really developed into an excellent white-ball format team. There are the incumbents, but it's also important to understand what is the talent below that.

"You're as good as the strength and depth in your system and so that's going to be a really key focus. Strengthening up the depth, getting competition for spots, supporting the players who are there and helping to develop them."

Pybus added that he is keen to make a good start as they prepare for the series against Sri Lanka comprising three T20Is and three ODIs.

The series begins with the T20I leg, with the first match scheduled for March 13 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The second and third T20Is are on March 15 and 17 at the same venue. The action then shifts to Dubai for the ODI series on March 20, 22, and 25 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

"First and foremost getting our focus on that series as they're an excellent white-ball side and we are looking to play excellent cricket," he concluded.