After leading Afghanistan to an 82-run victory over Canada in the T20 World Cup with an unbeaten 95, opener Ibrahim Zadran dedicated his Player of the Match award to coach Jonathan Trott. Zadran’s innings of 56 balls set a new record for the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batter in a T20 World Cup. His performance laid the groundwork for Afghanistan’s total of 200/4, with Mohammad Nabi’s 4-7 securing the win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
In a post-match presentation, Zadran expressed his enjoyment of the game and the pressure it entailed. He emphasized his focus on playing positive cricket, rotating strikes, punishing bad balls, creating partnerships, and dedicating his performance to coach Jonathan Trott for his support and guidance.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan also paid tribute to Trott, acknowledging his significant role in the team’s journey. Rashid expressed emotions over Trott’s departure and wished him the best for the future. He highlighted the team’s positive moments in the tournament and areas for improvement, particularly in batting and bowling against stronger opponents.
Canada skipper Dilpreet Bajwa recognized his team’s shortcomings in the match against Afghanistan but appreciated the camaraderie and exposure gained. Bajwa pointed out the need for improvement in finishing with the ball and handling early wickets in the chase. Reflecting on the tournament, he praised individual performances while acknowledging the need for better team cohesion in future competitions.
