Afghanistan gamers and employees members have a good time their win towards Pakistan within the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match in Chennai on October 23, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
After a few shut encounters between the 2 sides in latest instances, Afghanistan lastly obtained one over Pakistan for the primary time in one-day internationals, and the staff’s coach, Jonathan Trott, was all reward for the best way his aspect dominated the sport on October 23.
“Well, yeah, it doesn’t take a lot to see the passion and the rivalry between them. You know, (in) Asia Cup, we had a very disappointing loss last year. And then we had a series against them a couple of months ago, a three-match ODI series, in which a few times we were in the game, and I am just glad today we were in the game again and managed to get across the line,” mentioned Trott on the importance of Afghanistan’s historic victory over Pakistan.
The former English batter additionally felt the win would give the staff’s batters a sense of self-confidence that they may do that persistently and encourage the following set of cricketers again house.
“Very happy for a few of the batsmen who have, hopefully, will now have that self-belief that we can go on and trust their games and be very confident for the games coming forward. I think for the country, it just shows the amount of talent, and as it was when we were fortunate enough to beat England, it inspires another generation of players to pick up a cricket bat or ball and work on their fielding and fitness,” he added.
Crediting the efficiency of the openers in organising the victory, Trott mentioned, “The turning point for me was the start that Ibrahim and Gurbaz gave us – I think it is always good when you’re chasing a total like that. You need a good start, and there is less pressure on the players coming in. So those two batsmen, I think (were) outstanding. I’m very happy for Ibrahim getting into the tournament now and showing everybody on the world stage what a good player he is.”
The Afghan coach additionally praised Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten knock of 77 and the way he anchored the chase. “I thought the players in the middle, their emotions were outstanding. I think to have a historic win like this as well for the players, you could easily get ahead of yourself or get a bit nervous or panicky. I thought the way that Rahmat Shah played, there are still a few things, a few singles he could have maybe taken to take the pressure off himself, but the shot that he played there to hit a straight six sort of broke the back of the game and the way that the captain played as well, you know, took the pressure off the changing room,” the 42-year-old defined.
Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam felt his staff’s bowlers and fielders didn’t put their finest foot ahead, ensuing within the former champions’ third-straight defeat of the match.
“This loss was very hard as a team. I think we were not up to the mark in bowling and fielding. In the middle overs, the spinners didn’t bowl as they should have and didn’t put pressure on them,” mentioned Azam.
“In fielding, you must put in extra effort and be fit. You should focus on the ball, not on other thoughts, and when the ball comes, you have to be proactive as a fielder, so I think we are lagging a little bit as a fielding unit,” added the Pakistani skipper.
