Afghanistan’s heroic run within the T20 World Cup 2024 got here to an finish on the penultimate hurdle, because the Rashid Khan-led aspect suffered a lopsided 9-wicket defeat in opposition to South Africa in Trinidad. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan may solely put 56 runs on the board, their lowest in T20 internationals and in addition the bottom within the historical past of T20 World Cups. After Afghanistan’s journey within the competitors got here to an finish on Wednesday, head coach Jonathan Trott fumed at ICC, saying it wasn’t even an “even contest”.
Chatting with media on the press convention after sport, Trott stated that although he would not wish to get himself into any bother, he does wish to spotlight the poor nature of the pitch that was ready for a conflict as massive as a World Cup semi-final.
“I do not wish to get myself into bother. However I additionally do not wish to sound a bit like ‘bitter grapes’ however that is not the pitch that you simply wish to have a semi-final of a World Cup on. Plain and easy. It ought to be a good contest. I am not saying it ought to be fully flat with no spin and seam motion, you should not have batters worrying about shifting ahead and having the ball fly over their head. You ought to be assured in getting via the road or use their abilities. And T20 is all about attacking and scoring runs and taking wickets. Not seeking to survive,” stated Trott in the course of the press convention.
Trott needed the pitch to supply one thing to each his aspect and South Africa. Nonetheless, he feels his group was undone by a floor that favoured the opponent group extra.
“If the opposition bowled properly and will get you right into a place after bowling properly and thru ability, then it is nice to them. Then it is about adapting.”
“If we had bowled the way in which South Africa had, you might have seen a distinct second half,” he stated in the course of the chat with media personnel.
Jonathan Trott on Afghanistan’s Schedule
Trott additionally spoke concerning the hectic schedule that the Afghanistan group was uncovered to. However, he did not level finger on the schedule as the explanation behind his group’s embarrassing defeat within the semi-final.
“We solely bought again to lodge at three o’clock after which we needed to go away at eight o’clock — 5 hours later so we did not get a lot sleep so the blokes clearly have been very drained and rather a lot to course of actually emotionally bodily. So all new territory for the blokes,” Trott stated Having stated that, Trott conceded they have been outplayed by a robust South African unit.
“However we knew the schedule, in order that’s not an excuse as such. While you go in World Cups or tournaments, you may’t have all the things your individual approach, and you have to struggle and play in opposition to the chances which you have finished at occasions and really happy with that. Nevertheless it’s no, it is not the explanation why we did not win at this time.” “South Africa bowled properly, used the situations, and confirmed our boys what it is able to. Nevertheless it simply did not go our approach tonight.” The 43-year-old hoped that the semifinal loss serves as a studying for the group that has improved leaps and bounds within the final 5 years.
“…we have clearly bought one higher than the earlier (ODI) World Cup in November and it is nearly taking it step-by-step and hopefully we be taught from at this time, the batters actually.
“What it takes to play worldwide cricket and play in opposition to a bowling aspect like South Africa on a pitch that is maybe not conducive to excessive scoring runs and discovering methods of profitable video games…we simply could not discover a approach at this time.” Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) and Ibrahim Zadran (2), who have been Afghanistan’s high run-getters within the event, each failed, placing strain on the center order that hadn’t fired in any respect within the event.
“No one else has bought runs. We have to discover a cause for that,” Trott stated.
Regardless of the defeat to South Africa, Afghanistan can maintain their heads excessive, having made a mark within the event and elevating their standing as an elite group.
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