Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Pybus Calls for Better Batting and Pitches After India Loss
Afghanistan lost its second T20 cricket match against India by seven wickets.
Afghanistan scored 164 runs, but India reached the target in only 15.2 overs.
Coach Richard Pybus said Afghanistan needs to score faster.
He also wants the team to avoid playing too many balls without scoring.
Pybus said the team must bat more strongly during the first part of an innings, called the Powerplay.
He believes better cricket pitches in Afghanistan would help players improve.
He suggested using an international curator to make the pitches more consistent.
Pybus also said India has an advantage because its players regularly play on excellent batting surfaces and come from a deeper talent pool.
Afghanistan coach Richard Pybus said the team must improve its T20 strike rate and reduce its high dot-ball percentage.
Pybus urged Afghanistan to develop consistent, high-quality pitches for white-ball cricket and consider appointing an international curator.
He said Afghanistan’s Powerplay batting must become more aggressive and produce higher scores.
Afghanistan lost to India by seven wickets in Delhi after India chased 164 in 15.2 overs.
Pybus attributed India’s batting success partly to its experience on high-quality wickets and greater player depth.
- Who
- Afghanistan, its head coach Richard Pybus, and India’s cricket team.
- What
- Pybus outlined changes Afghanistan needs after losing the second T20I to India by seven wickets.
- When
- Tuesday, during the second match of the three-match T20I series.
- Where
- Delhi, with Pybus also discussing cricket conditions in Afghanistan.
- Why
- Afghanistan needs to improve its T20 scoring, reduce dot balls, strengthen its Powerplay batting, and develop better domestic pitches.
- Match result
- India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second T20I.
- Series status
- India took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
- Afghanistan score
- Afghanistan posted 164 for seven.
- India chase
- India reached the target in 15.2 overs.
- Batting priority
- Pybus called for a higher strike rate and fewer dot balls.
- Pitch proposal
- He suggested appointing an international curator to create more consistent domestic surfaces.
- Powerplay concern
- Pybus said Afghanistan’s Powerplay scoring, described as about 45 for one, needs serious improvement.