TAROUBA, TRINIDAD: Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott has complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after his team’s humiliating loss to South Africa in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024 in Tarouba, Trinidad.
Rashid Khan chose to bat first and the entire team was bundled out after scoring only 56, the Proteas had no trouble in the chase as they cruised home in 8.5 overs for the loss of a wicket.
Speaking after the match, Trott expressed his displeasure with the pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and said playing a semi-final at the world level is not like a fair competition.
“I don’t want to get into trouble. But I also don’t want to sound a bit like ‘sour grapes’, but this is not an arena where you want to be in the semi-finals of the World Cup. It’s a fair competition, plain and simple,” he said.
“I’m not saying it should be very flat without spin and seam movement, there shouldn’t be people worrying about going forward and the ball flying over the head. Should be confident to cross the line or use their skills. And T20 is all about attacking, scoring runs and taking wickets. I don’t want to survive.”
Trott believes South Africa have more to offer than their team, and it will be different if Afghanistan surrender like the Proteas.
“If the opposition surrenders well and puts you in a position after good bowling and skill, that’s good for them. Then it’s about adaptation,” he said.
“If we give up like South Africa, you can see the second half,” he told reporters.
It was the first time Afghanistan played in the T20 World Cup semi-finals and both teams were given a chance to reach the final for the first time in their history.
South Africa will now meet the winner of the second semi-final of the mega tournament between India and England at the Providence Stadium.
