ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Jonthan Trott boldly claims that ‘Afghanistan is not here to compete, but win’!
Xtra Time Web Desk: In a historic run, Afghanistan has advanced to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash against South Africa. Head coach Jonathan Trott is confident about his team’s chances, emphasizing that Afghanistan is not just here to compete but to win and secure a spot in the final.
Afghanistan’s journey to the semi-finals was marked by a groundbreaking victory over Bangladesh, marking their first-ever entry into the final four of a major ICC event. The team, led by the dynamic Rashid Khan, successfully navigated through two challenging groups, overcoming cricket powerhouses such as India, Australia, New Zealand, and the West Indies.
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Ahead of the semi-final match, Trott acknowledged some areas for improvement, particularly in their batting performance. Reflecting on their win against Bangladesh, he pointed out the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities. "We left a lot of runs out there. Yes, it wasn't the greatest of wickets, but we missed several chances to score singles or hit gaps," Trott admitted. However, he remains positive, saying, "We're in the semi-final now, nothing to lose. Very, very positive from now on in."
Trott is clear about the team’s mindset going into the semi-final: they are there to win. Highlighting their victories over major teams like Australia and New Zealand, Trott believes these experiences will benefit them against South Africa. "We've beaten some major teams, won by large margins, and in close games. That will serve us well in the semi-final," he asserted.
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Trott also noted that Afghanistan enters this match without the burden of past failures or successes in semi-finals, making them a unique and dangerous opponent. "This is uncharted territory for us. We’re just going to go out there and give it our all. There's no preconceived ideas or history of failure or success. For us, it's a new challenge, and I think that makes us dangerous in the semi-finals," he said, adding that the pressure will be on South Africa.
The high-stakes semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan is set for June 27 in Trinidad. Both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying encounter, with Afghanistan poised to make history once again.
