"Had Confidence In Players But..": Afghanistan Head Coach After Team's ODI World Cup 2023 Exit

Following Afghanistan's five-wicket defeat against South Africa in the 42nd match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, head coach Jonathan Trott said that they have set out few things during their World Cup 2023 campaign. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Trott said that they had arrived on the shores. He also praised his side and called them 'ambitious'.

"There are obviously a few things I think we set out, we arrived on the shores and you know pretty ambitious and if you'd said we won four games you probably would have taken it you know - Especially after losing the first game against Bangladesh, which we probably would have seen as a sort of must-win or a very winnable game. So, after that, I'd certainly have taken it, but it's still a case of sitting here today thinking there are a few other games that we left out there that we could have perhaps won."

Trott added that they are disappointed after failing to qualify in the semi-final round of the ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

He added that there are always challenges for a developing team, a developing player, or a developing nation until they get across the line.

"So as a coach and as a member of the team, we're disappointed with that, but you can't have everything. You can't win. But I see some good improvement. I see a lot of confidence in players and their ability. I had confidence in the players, but sometimes until somebody does it or they do it themselves, you're never quite sure. So that's always a challenge for a developing team or a developing player or nation until they get across the line. And I've said numerous times before the tournament that we just need to win a couple of games to get that belief and the