Jonathan Trott with Rashid Khan© X (Twitter)
Afghanistan’s heroic run within the T20 World Cup 2024 got here to an finish on the penultimate hurdle, because the Rashid Khan-led facet 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 mentioned that although he would not need to get himself into any bother, he does need to spotlight the poor nature of the pitch that was ready for a conflict as large as a World Cup semi-final.
“I do not need to get myself into bother. However I additionally do not need to sound a bit like ‘bitter grapes’ however that is not the pitch that you just need to have a semi-final of a World Cup on. Plain and easy. It must be a good contest. I am not saying it must be utterly flat with no spin and seam motion, you should not have batters worrying about transferring ahead and having the ball fly over their head. You have to be assured in getting by means of the road or use their abilities. And T20 is all about attacking and scoring runs and taking wickets. Not trying to survive,” mentioned Trott throughout the press convention.
Trott wished the pitch to supply one thing to each his facet and South Africa. Nevertheless, he feels his crew was undone by a floor that favoured the opponent crew extra.
“If the opposition bowled nicely and will get you right into a place after bowling nicely and thru talent, then it is superb to them. Then it is about adapting.”
“If we had bowled the way in which South Africa had, you would have seen a special second half,” he mentioned throughout the chat with media personnel.
Regardless of the defeat to South Africa, Afghanistan can preserve their heads excessive, having made a mark within the match and elevating their standing as an elite crew.
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