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Xtra Time Web Desk: In the aftermath of the South Africa vs. Afghanistan clash in Trinidad, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott has voiced strong criticism regarding the pitch conditions. The match, which saw Afghanistan skittled out for a mere 56 runs—the lowest total in a T20 World Cup semi-final—highlighted significant issues with the playing surface.

Trott expressed his frustration, labeling the pitch unfit for hosting such a high-stakes game. The surface, characterized by uneven bounce and pronounced lateral seam movement, proved to be a nightmare for batters from both sides. While the South African bowlers executed their plans brilliantly, they were undoubtedly assisted by the pitch conditions, leading to Afghanistan's historic low score.

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In his post-match press conference, Trott clarified that his remarks were not intended to sound like 'sour grapes,' but rather a call for fair play. He emphasized that T20 cricket should provide an even contest between bat and ball, allowing players to showcase their skills rather than merely survive.

"I don't want to get myself into trouble. But I also don't want to sound a bit like 'sour grapes' but that's not the pitch that you want to have a semi-final of a World Cup on. Plain and simple. It should be a fair contest. I'm not saying it should be completely flat with no spin and seam movement, you shouldn't have batters worrying about moving forward and having the ball fly over their head. You should be confident in getting through the line or use their skills. And T20 is all about attacking and scoring runs and taking wickets. Not looking to survive," said Trott.

Trott further noted that if Afghanistan had bowled with the same efficiency as South Africa, the game might have unfolded differently. However, the condition of the pitch overshadowed the potential for a competitive and entertaining match.

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Despite the challenging conditions, South Africa managed to chase down the target with relative ease, securing a 9-wicket victory and advancing to their first-ever T20 World Cup final. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's remarkable journey in the tournament came to an abrupt and disappointing end.

As the cricketing world reflects on this semi-final, Trott's comments underscore the importance of providing balanced pitches that ensure fair play and allow for an engaging contest in the spirit of T20 cricket.