Zadran helps Afghans give Trott a winning farewell

Chennai: Ibrahim Zadran’s career-best 95 not out ensured Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott signed off his tenure with an emphatic 82-run victory over Canada at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, a consolation win that could not mask a group-stage exit but restored pride after a disappointing campaign.

Put in to bat, Afghanistan wobbled to 49-2 when Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib fell in the space of four balls to Jaskarandeep Singh, whose 3-52 briefly threatened to derail the innings. Zadran, dropped on 54, responded with a masterclass in pacing an ODI-style T20 knock. He shelved the power game early, caressing boundaries with a straight bat and rotating strike until the platform was set. Sediqullah Atal provided the perfect foil, crunching 44 off 32 balls in a 95-run third-wicket stand that shifted momentum irrevocably.

The finishing kick was brutal: 69 runs in the last five overs, Zadran plundering consecutive boundaries off Jaskarandeep’s final two deliveries to propel Afghanistan to 200-4. The opener’s unbeaten 56-ball 95 contained seven fours and five sixes, his second successive half-century after a lean start to the tournament.

Canada’s reply unravelled against Afghanistan’s spin triumvirate. Mohammad Nabi, hinting this could be his last World Cup appearance, exploited the Chepauk surface to snare 4-7 in four incisive overs. Rashid Khan (2-19) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1-23) tightened the screws through the middle, leaving Canada floundering at 118 all out and sealing a comprehensive win that offered Trott the farewell result his squad had craved since pre-tournament plans of a Super-8 berth fell short.

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