Afghanistan heroics can inspire next generation: Trott

TAROUBA, Trinidad and Tobago: Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott hopes his side´s historic T20 World Cup run, which ended in a heavy semi-final defeat Wednesday, has “inspired young kids to pick up a bat and ball” in the war-ravaged country.

South Africa demolished Afghanistan by nine wickets to saunter into the final, where they will face India or holders England. Afghanistan were bowled out for 56 off 11.5 overs after they chose to bat at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.

Trott conceded that his players had struggled to handle the pressure of a maiden World Cup semi-final, but he was still “very proud” of the team. “A lot to process really emotionally, physically, so all new territory for the guys and it all plays its part,” said Trott, a former England batsman who was born in South Africa, admitting his side had been “outplayed”. “I´m sure the guys hopefully learn from this experience,” he said.

“(Learn) what it takes to play international cricket and play against a bowling side like South Africa on a pitch that´s perhaps not conducive to high-scoring.

“We´ve found ways of winning games, we just couldn´t find a way today,” he said, adding that despite surpassing all expectations by reaching the last four, his side were left crestfallen. “Obviously it hurts at the moment,” said Trott. “We arrived to the ground in high spirits ready to take on a strong South African side and make sure we gave a good account of ourselves. “I feel like we haven´t done that today so that´s the most disappointing thing.

Afghanistan won the toss

Afghanistan

Gurbaz c Hendricks b Jansen 0

Zadran b Kagiso Rabada 2

Naib b Marco Jansen 9

Omarzai c Stubbs b Nortje 10

Nabi b Rabada 0

Kharote c De Kock b Jansen 2

Janat lbw Tabraiz Shamsi 8

Khan b Anrich Nortje 8

Ahmad lbw Tabraiz Shamsi 0

Naveen lbw Tabraiz Shamsi 2

Farooqi not out 2

Extras: 6b 1lb 0nb 0pen 6w 13

Total: (11.5 overs) 56 all out

Fall of Wickets : 1-4 Gurbaz, 2-16 Naib, 3-20 Zadran, 4-20 Nabi, 5-23 Khan, 6-28 Omarzai, 7-50 Janat, 8-50 Lakanwal, 9-50 Khan, 10-56 Murid

Bowling: Marco Jansen 3-0-16-3,

Keshav Maharaj 1-0-6-0, Kagiso Rabada 3-1-14-2, Anrich Nortje 3-0-7-2, Tabraiz Shamsi 1.5-0-6-3

South Africa

De Kock b Fazalhaq 5

Hendricks not out 29

Markram not out 23

Extras: 0b 0lb 1nb 0pen 2w 3

Total: (8.5 overs) 60-1

Fall of Wickets: 1-5 de Kock

Did Not Bat : Stubbs, Klaasen, Miller, Jansen, Maharaj, Rabada, Nortje, Shamsi

Bowling: Naveen-ul-Haq 3-0-15-0, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-0-11-1, Rashid Khan 1-0-8-0, Azmatullah Omarzai 1.5-0-18-0, Gulbadin Naib 1-0-8-0

Result: South Africa win by 9 wickets

Player of the match: Marco Jansen

Umpire: Richard Illingworth, Nitin Menon