Chennai, February 18 Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan paid high tribute to outgoing head coach Jonathan Trott, saying the former England batsman has played a major role in guiding the team and raising the standards of Afghan cricket.
Afghanistan will face Canada in their last match of the campaign, which will also mark the end of Trott's tenure.
"We have a series against Sri Lanka right after the World Cup, followed by the IPL. Tomorrow is Jonathan Trott's last game with us. We have had some incredible games and tours with him. He has been instrumental in taking Afghan cricket to where it is now," Rashid said on the eve of their match against Canada.
"I think he has worked hard with everyone. Everyone will definitely miss him. He played a key role in getting this team on the right track."
Looking ahead, Rashid emphasized the need for constant improvement as teams begin to devise new strategies against Afghanistan.
"Now, nothing is easy for us. Teams will come against us with different plans. It's about how we manage ourselves, improve our skills, and stay ahead of the opposition. That depends on individuals and how we prepare ourselves," he said.
"We have faced tough situations, but individually, you have to think about how you will respond and perform for the team."
Rashid also turned his attention to the upcoming 50-over World Cup in South Africa, saying Afghanistan would aim to build on their strong performance in the 2023 edition.
"We had a great World Cup in 2023, and we look forward to improving in the areas where we didn't do well," he added.
Asked if experienced all-rounder Mohammed Nabi would also make a decision about his international career, Rashid said: "I think I need to ask him. Well, individually, everyone knows themselves very well. It's up to each individual to decide when it's time to move on. I think he is still fit and performing well for the team.
"He is still fielding well and is better than any other young player on the team. I feel he still has a lot of cricket left in him, but it's all about individual decision. It's all about how long you enjoy playing cricket. For me, I will continue to play as long as I enjoy it. Once that stops, I don't see myself playing anymore."
Rashid also acknowledged the difficulty of facing two strong teams in quick succession.
"I feel this time it was a different campaign for us. We had to play against two top teams, New Zealand and South Africa, within four days. We had to avoid any mistakes that could knock us out of the competition. But, that's what T20 cricket is all about. You can't really relax or take things easy."