CT25 – Afg vs Eng – Jonathan Trott – Afghanistan will never be taken lightly again

Trott believes this collective achievement has significantly changed the perceptions surrounding Afghanistan’s cricket team. “What has transpired in the World Cup, T20 World Cup, and beyond, I convey to the players: Afghanistan will never be seen as an easy opponent again.”

“Previously, some might have viewed our matches as less challenging compared to those against historic Test nations. However, in this context and under these circumstances, I don’t share that view. I expect every match we play to be competitive, and I anticipate victory in each one. Australia won’t underestimate us.”

Trott’s immediate focus on Afghanistan’s final group match on Friday shows that his team is concentrating on the tournament as a whole rather than solely on isolated upset victories. Although the match against England was a knockout for both teams, it wasn’t a qualification match. If Afghanistan loses to Australia, they will join England on their flight home.

“Since I’ve taken over as coach, we’ve faced Australia three times, and we’ve been competitive in every one of those games,” Trott remarked. “I’ll tell the players to savor tonight’s victory. However, I will ensure that when they wake up tomorrow, they are focused on the challenge against Australia. Our focus is on Australia. That’s the mindset the players will adopt, and that’s the message I’ll convey to our fans.”

Support from fans was in abundance. From the start of the match, the stadium was adorned with the colors of the Afghanistan flag. Lahore hosts a sizable Pashtun demographic, and Pakistan has the highest number of Afghan refugees globally. While the intersection of these factors is complex, the atmosphere in the stadium was clear-cut. For that one afternoon and evening, Gaddafi Stadium felt like Afghan territory, a display of support that was both acknowledged and cherished.

“The atmosphere was fantastic,” Trott remarked. “It was wonderful for the players to feel the support since we typically play in the UAE. Being in Pakistan brings us closer to home. I hope we see a massive turnout on Friday, and that people will take the day off to come and cheer for us starting at 2 o’clock.

“It’s an incredible experience for the players. They will remember nights like this forever. We’ve had several memorable occasions in ICC events and series, which boosts our confidence as we head into Friday’s match. It’s crucial that we move on from tonight. Tomorrow, we must reset our mindset, as we cannot expect the next game to unfold like this one did. We need to approach it with fresh energy and a proactive mindset.”

This landmark victory has seen Trott’s Afghanistan reach new heights in what has been an incredible journey of achievements. Less than three years ago, when he took over as coach, Afghanistan was viewed as a team with significant potential but one that hadn’t quite mastered the art of securing wins in high-stakes multi-team tournaments. That perception has transformed considerably, even as Afghanistan nurtures a new generation of players through a fledgling system. Players like Zadran, whose remarkable innings of 177 off 146 balls formed the backbone of Afghanistan’s innings.

“When I first took charge, there was a raw quality to the team. Much of that stems from preparation and a positive mindset regarding their work off the field, which maximizes their chances during matches. The players compete frequently, with ample opportunities in franchise cricket, which is beneficial as they develop and learn from playing alongside the best in the world. They bring that experience back to the Afghanistan team, contributing to memorable nights like this one.”

Trott emphasized that while tonight’s victory should be celebrated, it is crucial to swiftly transition focus. With adverse weather predicted for Friday when Afghanistan faces Australia in Lahore, a similar performance could lead to a sequel that outshines the original.