Trott admits to Afghanistan's concerns while chasing

With an eye on the preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Jonathan Trott, the head coach of Afghanistan, feels the team needs to learn to chase better in T20Is.

Afghanistan completed their last phase of preparation for the mega tournament with the recently-concluded three-match T20I series against West Indies in Dubai. Afghanistan won the series by 2-1 but both the victories in the series came when they batted first.

Since the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, Afghanistan have played 21 T20Is, and batted first on 15 occasions. Of the six games in which they were chasing, they won only two matches, while 10 of their victories came when they batted first.

"When you have the quality of bowlers that we do, when you're setting a target and defending it, your percentages are probably going to be a little bit better," said Trott. "But yeah, I do think we need to improve [while chasing], and that's why we decided to chase today," he said after losing the third T20I to West Indies. "It was a good game and showed a few things and areas where we need to be better."

The three matches of the T20I series against West Indies were played under lights. However, three out of Afghanistan's four group games in the upcoming World Cup are scheduled for 11:00 AM starts (local time). Nonetheless, Trott is not too fussed about that being any hindrance to their preparations.

"We've got quite a few day games as well and that's why we're here (in Dubai). We've got another week here practicing at similar times and practice matches at similar times," he said. "And then we've got day games for our warm-up games when we're in India on the 2nd and the 4th, so we'll be well-prepared for the 8th in Chennai," he said.

"There's been no dew here (in Dubai) as well, so that's been fine whether it's under lights. But now we're changing our body clocks and we'll be getting onto morning times for India."

Trott added that losing Naveen-ul-Haq due to injury was a blow but added that others should take this opportunity in the upcoming World Cup.

"We've called Zia-ur-Rehman Sharafi in, and he's bowled really well in the games -maybe a little bit expensive today - but there's a lot of talent there and a lot to work with," said Trott. "Obviously, Naveen's injured, and that's unfortunate, but somebody else has got to take his place and step up. Hopefully, Zia is the guy for that. We rested a few players today as well, so we wanted to give an opportunity to some other people. On tonight's result and today's performance, there's always a little bit of work to be done."