‘We didn’t play him very well’ - Coach Jonathan Trott’s honest confession as Afghanistan batters failed to tackle Jasprit Bumrah in Super 8s

Afghanistan made a brilliant start to their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, registering three consecutive comprehensive wins in the group stage. But in the last two matches, they had to endure contrasting results - a massive 104-run defeat against West Indies, followed by a 47-run defeat against India in their first Super 8 match.

Chasing a competitive target of 182 runs in Barbados, the Afghan batters floundered against the Indian pace attack and were bundled out for 134 runs. Elite pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the wrecker-in-chief. The right-arm quick continued his red-hot form as Afghanistan managed to score just seven runs in his four overs and gifted three wickets.

Coach Jonathan Trott admitted that his team did not play well against Bumrah. Additionally, the former England cricketer expressed disappointment with the shot selection of his batters despite making plans against the veteran fast bowler.  

“Obviously disappointed with a few of the shots or the decision-making. Bumrah is going to be a key bowler for any side,” Trott said after Afghanistan's recent defeat.

“For India, he’s crucial and we needed to play him better. His figures suggest we didn’t play him very well. We’d obviously spoken about it and how we were going to play him. So, we weren’t able to execute that and, yeah, that’s very disappointing,” he added.

Also check: Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal spell; Watch ball-by-ball breakdown of his mastery against Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2024

Afghanistan set to take on Australia in a must-win clash

Bumrah dealt two early blows to the opposition by dismissing openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai. With Axar Patel removing the in-form Ibrahim Zadran cheaply, Afghanistan lost three top-order wickets inside five overs. Later, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai tried to form a partnership, but both were removed in quick succession.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh took three wickets in the end and helped his team wrap up the game in style. Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant half-century and Hardik Pandya's impactful cameo took India past the score of 180. Afghanistan's next Super 8 match is against Australia on Sunday, June 23. The Asian team will need nothing less than a win to stay alive in the semi-final race.

Also Read: Afghanistan vs Australia Dream11 Prediction, Match 48