Trott speaks on Afghanistan breaking new ground, saying “We can pick a side capable of winning in most conditions.”
Trott: Afghanistan ‘not shy about achieving new things or breaking new ground’.
Afghanistan will start as “slight favourites” against Bangladesh, who have a must-win scenario, in their Asia Cup Group B match on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, according to Jonathan Trott. And that optimism has merit based on recent history.
“Since I’ve been with the side, we’ve had some memorable moments,” Trott said. “I think back to when we beat Bangladesh in a 50-over series in Bangladesh for the first time [in 2023]. It had never been done before, and given how strong Bangladesh have been at home, to go there and do that gave us a lot of confidence and positivity.
“Then there was the win in St Vincent at the [2024] T20 World Cup, which helped us qualify for the semi-final. That was such a tight, historic game, and it gave us great belief. This group I’m currently working with is not shy about achieving new things or breaking new ground.
“Whenever there’s something that hasn’t been done before, like a big obstacle or a big challenge, this Afghan side rises to the occasion. They’re not only setting new standards for themselves but also paving the way for future players to keep pushing those boundaries.”
Afghanistan has had six days off since defeating Hong Kong handily on September 9 to start the Asia Cup. Trott believes the vacation has helped them “mentally and physically” recover after the demanding pre-Asia Cup tri-series against Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, in which they played five games in ten days.
“I’m actually quite happy with the break,” he said. “Playing in the extreme heat here in the UAE takes a lot out of you. It’s been a good chance to recharge the batteries, take stock of where we are, and get ready to go again. Hopefully, with a win and qualification into the next round, we know there will be quite a few games in a short space of time.”
Looking at the schedule and putting that break into context, Trott felt it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. “I think our schedule has actually played into our hands, as long as we play well tomorrow and do the job in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “Playing there is very different to Dubai. It looks like it’s been spinning a little more here and in Sharjah. Abu Dhabi is a very different type of pitch – the make-up of the soil is different too.
“That’s the challenge of playing in these tournaments: you’re constantly adapting to a variety of conditions. I certainly feel that with our squad and the options we have, we can pick a side capable of winning in most conditions.”