trott: India game gave us a bit of confidence, says Afghan coach Trott

Head coach Jonathan Trott feels that despite losing to India at the World Cup, the match worked as a confidence booster for Afghanistan, who have started to believe that they can win games and dominate. Enjoying their best ever performance, Afghanistan registered comprehensive wins over three former champions — England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — and the Netherlands to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

“I think we saw a bit of form coming into the side against India. Obviously, we lost the game but then that gave us a bit of confidence,” Trott said after Afghanistan’s seven-wicket win over the Netherlands here on Sunday Friday.

After a poor performance against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Afghanistan’s batsmen have done well to post a score close to 300 (272) against India.

“I said we lost so many close games in the series against Pakistan and then in the Asia Cup. We just need to start 1-1 or 2 and we’ll get that confidence and belief and a bit of a spring in. our stage and that we can win those close games but we can also make an impact in games if we get the chance,” said Trott.

Afghanistan, who are just outside the top 4 in the fifth spot, play Australia and South Africa in their last two series matches.

“We have to improve in the next game against Australia in Mumbai. But I also saw a lot of good things which will stand us in good stead going forward against the likes of Australia and South Africa in both games ahead of us. A lot to work on but also a lot to be happy about,” said the coach. It’s important to come together in a long competition ================ =======

The Afghans are making changes to their bowling depending on the wicket.

“We’re lucky to have the quality of players to choose from. A lot of teams, you don’t have the option of playing four spinners, or the quality of four spinners,” Trott said.

“It’s important to come together in a long tournament like this and it’s good to see the guys doing that. The way Noor (Ahmad) came in, I thought it went great today (Friday) as well , I should say. he didn’t play in Pune then, it didn’t look like he was going to turn, and he was great with it.

“As a player too, it is good to be able to learn from the disappointments, but then gets the opportunity today. But his attitude was so good that he got the opportunity. He was not sulk in Pune,” said Trott.

The Afghans are getting a lot of support.

“We’ve got support, we’ve got a couple of IPL players, so there’s always interest and support for those players,” Trott said.

“But also – I can’t put my finger on why they’re like the Afghan boys. I think they’re great cricketers and probably playing some good cricket. And that’s why fans are supporting them and look at them.”