(Reuters) – The landmark win over Pakistan in the World Cup will cause a ripple effect in Afghan cricket and inspire future players, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said.
Afghan batters chased down the 283 target methodically, with a focus on singles and doubles to keep off the pressure, winning the match by eight wickets with six balls to spare. It was their second win in five games, and Afghanistan’s third-ever World Cup victory.
It was also their first victory over neighbours Pakistan in eight One Day International (ODI) matches and the first World Cup win while chasing against a Test-playing nation.
“This will have a great ripple effect,” Trott told reporters. “I want to make sure that (the players)… pass it on and remember that game in Chennai when we chased on 283 against Pakistan.”
The Englishman called the 130-run opening partnership put on by Rehmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Ibrahim Zadran (87) the “turning point” and praised Rahmat Shah, who played through several cramps to help steady the game when the openers fell.
“You could easily… get a bit nervous or panicky… but shot that he played there to hit a straight six sort of broke the back of the game,” Trott said of Shah, who scored an unbeaten 77, 45 of which came from ones and twos.
This win along with the Oct. 15 triumph over defending champions England propelled Afghanistan from the bottom of the table to sixth place before facing ninth-place Sri Lanka next Monday.
“I will say to the players make sure you enjoy these victories but as soon as we (arrive in) Pune… take the confidence from the game and start looking forward to Sri Lanka,” Trott said.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
