Afghanistan participant Rahmanullah Gurbaz and coach Jonathan Trott throughout a follow session forward of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match in opposition to Pakistan in Chennai.
| Photograph Credit score: B. Jothi Ramalingam
Head coach Jonathan Trott is hopeful Afghanistan can maintain their World Cup marketing campaign alive by pulling off a win in opposition to an under-pressure Pakistan, having come agonisingly near defeating them earlier this 12 months.
The 42-year-old added that the passionate rivalry between the 2 groups, who’re determined to win, would make it an enthralling contest in Chennai on October 23.
“I feel for them (Afghans), it is a rivalry that excites them. It is a rivalry that generally previously has been very passionate,” Trott stated on the pre-match press convention on October 22.
“However I am certain we’ll see an thrilling sport tomorrow. It is simply the character of the rivalry. And each groups respect one another however are very determined to win,” he added.
Pakistan had defeated Afghanistan 3-Zero in a three-match ODI sequence in August with Babar Azam and Co. eking out a slim one-wicket win within the second match.
“We have had an ODI sequence in opposition to them lately the place we must always have received a couple of video games, (however) we did not. So hopefully, we are able to put that proper tomorrow.” Afghanistan play their second sport on the Chepauk, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led facet fell to 149-run loss to New Zealand on the identical venue.
“The pitch I am undecided. Chennai is often a great wicket. So, all people’s acquired to place in a great crew efficiency if we need to beat the likes of a powerful facet like Pakistan.” Within the sport in opposition to New Zealand, the Afghan spinners did not make an affect.
“With spinners, there are solely two or three of them enjoying a sport. And, it is the opposite eight as effectively that should play the sport, in order that’s essential,” Trott replied to a question from PTI.
“It is all people’s job. It isn’t simply the spinners’ job to win video games. There are batters who’ve acquired to place runs on the board or chase down a complete. Sure, the spinners are essential and getting our choice is essential for the fixture, but it surely’s a crew effort. There is not any reliance on simply spinners.”
Afghanistan are on the backside of the factors desk, having misplaced three of the 4 fixtures they’ve performed. Their solely victory got here in opposition to defending champion England.
The sport in opposition to Pakistan is a must-win of kinds for Afghanistan in the event that they need to maintain their destiny in their very own arms. A loss may imply they should depend on beneficial outcomes to remain within the semifinal race.
“Each sport is a must-win sport. It is a World Cup, and each sport is essential. So, I do not see the opposite matches simply as extra essential as this,” stated Trott.
Pakistan is headed into the match having suffered back-to-back losses in opposition to hosts India and Australia. Trott asserted that his facet would purpose to use this case in opposition to an under-pressure Pakistani facet.
“We at all times look to place up put the opposition below stress right away, so we’ll be trying to try this tomorrow, clearly. There’s a variety of different issues that come into the sport almost about the rivalry and the historical past of and the eagerness of the whole lot.” “We all know the Pakistan crew shall be very decided to win tomorrow and definitely need to kind of snap that shedding streak of the 2 video games,” he signed off.