CHENNAI: Opener Ibrahim Zadran dedicated his player-of-the-match award to departing coach Jonathan Trott after his unbeaten 95 powered Afghanistan to an 82-run victory over Canada in their final Group D match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday.
South Africa-born Trott, a former England cricket team batter, was appointed Afghanistan coach in July 2022 and it was announced in November that he would step down after the tournament.
During his tenure, Afghanistan reached their first T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024 and narrowly missed out on a last-four spot at the 50-over World Cup in 2023.
“He has supported me and encouraged us all a lot. We have achieved things in ICC events. It’s his last day with us, he taught me lots of things. I wish him all the best, we will all miss him a lot,” Zadran said.
Afghanistan, already eliminated after defeats by New Zealand and South Africa, were put in to bat by Canada in Chennai and posted 200-4.
Zadran struck five sixes and seven fours in his 56-ball 95, the highest individual score by an Afghan in the tournament’s history, helping his side to a commanding total despite Jaskaran Singh claiming three wickets.
Spinner Mohammad Nabi then removed opener Yuvraj Samra (17), who had scored a century against New Zealand, and Harsh Thaker (30) to leave Canada reeling at 43-4 in the eighth over.
Tournament debutants Canada, who lost all four of their group matches, were bowled out for 118, with Nabi returning figures of 4-7.
Afghanistan finished third in the group with two wins from four matches, while South Africa and New Zealand advanced to the Super Eight stage.
