It was an emotional Afghanistan camp despite a commanding 82-run victory over Canada in their final Group D clash of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. More than them not making it to the Super Eights, Afghanistan players looked visibly moved as it was Jonathan Trott’s last match as coach.
It was Afghanistan’s second victory in the tournament but not enough to progress to the Super Eight stage because of defeats to New Zealand and South Africa earlier. Trott had an excellent stint as coach with Afghanistan for over three years where the team had a great run in recent times including a semifinal outing in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup.
Ibrahim Zadran, who scored an unbeaten 95, his career-best in Afghanistan’s win over Canada on Thursday, dedicated his Player of the Match award to the outgoing Trott. The opener’s 95 not out was the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batter in T20 World Cup.
“I want to dedicate this to coach Jonathan (Trott) – he has supported me, he has encouraged us all a lot. We have achieved things in ICC events. It’s his last day with us; he taught me lots of things. I wish him all the best. We will all miss him a lot,” Zadran said in the post-match presentation ceremony, with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Afghanistan skipper also paid tribute to Trott and said: “I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a major role. It’s emotional to see him leave us, but that’s how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line, we see him again.”
Trott too had a chance to reflect on the journey and said it was great to see Afghanistan develop as a team and also coach some great players.
“I always feel very fortunate enough to have had a lot of memories as a player but also now as a coach as well,” Trott was quoted as saying.
“I think even at this ground (in Chennai), beating Pakistan, I think, the first time in the World Cup, 50-over game, beating England, two games in St. Vincent, that’s World Cup stuff.
“But there’s been lots of other things we’ve achieved, bilateral series, firsts we’ve beaten Pakistan, Bangladesh away, South Africa, all these sorts of things.
“So I’m very fortunate enough to have coached some really great players, some really good humans, a good bunch of guys and areas to improve everywhere.”
The 44-year-old before taking up his next coaching job would like to take some time off and cherish the memories that he had with the Afghanistan side.
“I’ve really enjoyed this and I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe have a couple of days off and see how it goes. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the World Cup goes. Gee, I wish we were still here and able to play in the next round,” Trott said.
“I’m very proud of where I played my cricket and always like to see the England side do well. I’d be lying. I’d love to one day hopefully have the opportunity to coach a team that you hold so dear to your heart. There are a lot of people that I’m sure would love to do that job.
“So we’ll have to see. But I just want to be enjoy my coaching. And, I’ve certainly enjoyed the last couple of years here. My tenure here has been ups and downs, but I’ve some great memories.”
