Lahore, Feb 27 – Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott has declared that his team can no longer be taken lightly in international cricket, following their stunning eight-run victory over England in the Champions Trophy. The thrilling win, powered by Ibrahim Zadran’s majestic 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul, eliminated England from the tournament and solidified Afghanistan’s reputation as a formidable side.
As Afghanistan prepares for a must-win clash against Australia, Trott emphasized the confidence gained from past encounters against the Aussies.
"Since I've been coach, we've played against Australia three times, and we've been in the game each time. So, we should take a lot of confidence from that," Trott said during the post-match press conference.
Highlighting Afghanistan’s consistent performances in global tournaments, the Englishman insisted that established cricketing nations will no longer underestimate his team.
"I say this to the players as well—Afghanistan is never going to be taken lightly ever again," he asserted.
With two points from two games, Afghanistan remains in contention for a semifinal spot. A victory over Australia would propel them to four points, potentially securing a top-two finish in the group. Meanwhile, Australia, with three points following their washout against South Africa, faces elimination if they lose.
Trott is determined to keep his squad focused on the crucial contest.
"I'm going to make sure they enjoy tonight, but when they wake up tomorrow, the focus is on Australia," he said.
Afghanistan's rise has been fueled by resilience and self-belief, qualities Trott credited for their growing stature in world cricket.
“There’s a resilience to them. If you add cricketing experience and match awareness, especially in batting, it’s not always down to one person,” he noted, citing contributions from Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and lower-order batsman Gulbadin Naib.
The highly anticipated clash against Australia has effectively become a quarterfinal, with the winner securing a semifinal berth. Trott hopes for strong fan support in Lahore on Friday.
"Hopefully, it will be a massive sellout. People should take the day off work and come watch from two o’clock onwards. Nights like this are unforgettable, and we’ve had a few of them along the way," he concluded.
Afghanistan now stands on the brink of history, poised to challenge cricket’s elite on the biggest stage.
Last updated by a enewsx:
