As an era comes to a close in Afghanistan cricket, captain Rashid Khan paid an emotional tribute to outgoing head coach Jonathan Trott ahead of his final match in charge.

Afghanistan are set to face Canada in their last group-stage fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking the end of Trott’s impactful tenure with the national side.

🏏 Trott’s Transformational Impact on Afghanistan Cricket

When Jonathan Trott took over as Afghanistan’s head coach, the team was widely seen as a competitive but inconsistent unit capable of occasional upsets.

Under his guidance, however, Afghanistan evolved into a structured, fearless and tactically sharper side.

Key Milestones Under Trott:

• Narrowly missed semi-finals at the 2023 ODI World Cup
• Historic semi-final qualification in the 2024 T20 World Cup
• Improved consistency against top-tier nations
• Stronger tactical discipline and fielding standards

The 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, co-hosted by West Indies and USA, firmly established Afghanistan as a genuine global contender rather than just a giant-killer.

🤝 Rashid’s Emotional Tribute

Speaking ahead of Trott’s final game, Rashid acknowledged the coach’s immense contribution:

“We’ve had some unbelievable games and tours with him. He has been someone who has taken Afghanistan cricket to where it is now.”

Rashid emphasised that Trott’s influence extended beyond tactics — he reshaped the team culture.

“He worked so hard with every single player. Definitely, everyone around us will miss him so much. He played a main role in taking this team on the right path.”

Despite having multiple franchise coaching offers earlier, Trott extended his tenure after 2024 to continue building the project — a decision that further strengthened the squad’s long-term vision.

📉 A Bittersweet Ending

Afghanistan’s group-stage exit in the 2026 T20 World Cup may not reflect the progress made under Trott.

While the campaign fell short of expectations, the broader trajectory of the team tells a different story:

• More competitive against elite sides
• Improved batting depth
• Tactical clarity in crunch situations
• Enhanced fielding intensity

Trott leaves behind a team that believes it belongs at the highest level.

🔄 What’s Next for Afghanistan?

With Trott’s departure, Afghanistan face a critical transition period.

The next coach will inherit:

• A mature leadership core
• Experienced match-winners
• A strong spin department
• Growing confidence in ICC tournaments

The immediate challenge will be maintaining consistency while continuing to evolve in the T20 format.

🧓 Mohammad Nabi Retirement Speculation: Rashid Responds

Another major talking point was the future of veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.

At 41, speculation about Nabi’s retirement has persisted for years. However, Rashid dismissed immediate concerns, praising the veteran’s fitness and energy.

“He is still fielding on the boundary and running better than some youngsters in the team.”

Rashid made it clear that the decision rests entirely with Nabi:

“It’s all about till what time you enjoy your cricket. For me personally, till I enjoy, I will play. Once that stops, I don’t see myself playing anymore.”

Nabi’s experience remains invaluable, particularly in high-pressure ICC tournaments.

📊 The Bigger Picture

Jonathan Trott’s tenure will likely be remembered as:

• The period when Afghanistan stopped being underdogs
• The phase where belief replaced surprise
• The foundation of sustained ICC competitiveness

While his final match may not carry knockout stakes, it symbolizes the closing of a transformative chapter in Afghanistan cricket.

🔥 Final Take

Jonathan Trott leaves Afghanistan cricket stronger, more confident, and more structured than when he arrived.

For Rashid Khan and his teammates, the challenge now is to carry forward the standards and belief instilled by their departing coach.

Transitions define great teams — and Afghanistan’s next phase could determine whether Trott’s foundation leads to a future ICC title push.

For the first time since 2009, Australia national cricket team have failed to progress beyond the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

A shock defeat to Zimbabwe in Group C ended their campaign prematurely — a stunning fall for a side that lifted the trophy in 2021.

From champions in Dubai to a group-stage exit in 2026, what went wrong for Australia in just five years?

🏆 From 2021 Glory to 2026 Disappointment

Australia’s T20 World Cup journey over the last five years:

• 2021 (UAE): Champions
• 2022 (Home): Failed to defend title
• 2024: Eliminated in Super 8
• 2026: Knocked out in group stage

While Australia have historically dominated the 50-over World Cup, winning six ODI titles, their T20 record tells a different story. Across 10 editions, they have won the T20 World Cup only once — in 2021.

That triumph now appears more like an exception than the beginning of sustained dominance.

🔎 Selection Blunders: A Costly Gamble?

One of the biggest talking points surrounding Australia’s exit has been selection decisions.

❗ Injury Risks Taken

Australia selected injured players such as:

• Pat Cummins
• Josh Hazlewood
• Tim David

Both Cummins and Hazlewood were eventually ruled out, with Ben Dwarshuis replacing Cummins. Surprisingly, no immediate replacement was named for Hazlewood as selectors appeared confident of reaching the Super 8 stage.

That confidence proved costly.

🧩 Unbalanced Playing XI

The turning point arguably came in Pallekele against Sri Lanka, where Australia collapsed dramatically:

• From 104/0 to 181 all out
• Lost last six wickets for just 21 runs

Veteran batter Steve Smith was added late to the squad but benched in spin-friendly conditions — precisely the kind where his experience could have stabilised the innings.

Former Australian cricketer Ian Healy criticised the team balance on SEN Cricket, highlighting:

• Over-reliance on finishers
• Lack of top-order anchors
• Form concerns around certain selections
• Players being shuffled across batting positions

Australia appeared stacked with power-hitters but lacked batters capable of navigating tricky middle overs.

📉 Has T20 Become Australia’s Least Prioritised Format?

Perhaps the deeper issue lies beyond just squad selection.

Since January 1, 2022, Australia have played only 72 T20Is — the fewest among full-member nations.

T20Is Played Since 2022 (Full Members)

Many of these matches were World Cup fixtures, meaning Australia have had limited preparation outside major tournaments.

Additionally:

• First-choice players were frequently rested
• Bilateral T20Is featured second-string squads
• Core players rarely played together consistently

Even before the 2026 World Cup, Australia’s main squad did not feature together in the final T20I series against Pakistan.

Lack of continuity clearly affected team cohesion and adaptability.

⚖️ Strategic Miscalculation: Power Over Stability

Australia’s recent T20 blueprint leaned heavily toward explosive hitters.

However, modern T20 cricket increasingly demands:

• Anchors who rotate strike
• Batters adept against spin
• Tactical flexibility

In subcontinental conditions, their power-heavy approach backfired. The middle overs exposed their vulnerability against quality spin attacks.

🔄 Is a T20 Reset Coming?

History shows that setbacks can spark transformation.

After India’s 10-wicket semifinal loss in the 2022 T20 World Cup, they revamped their approach and embraced fearless cricket.

Australia now face a similar crossroads.

With the next T20 World Cup scheduled to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the team management may need to:

• Rebuild a stable T20 core
• Prioritise bilateral series
• Define clear batting roles
• Invest in spin-friendly adaptability

📌 The Bigger Picture

Australia remain dominant in:

• Test cricket
• ODI tournaments

However, T20 cricket demands constant evolution.

The 2026 exit is not merely a bad tournament — it signals deeper structural and strategic questions about format prioritisation.

🔥 Final Take

Australia’s fall from champions to group-stage exit in five years is a story of:

• Risky selections
• Lack of continuity
• Overemphasis on power
• Under-prioritisation of T20 cricket

Whether this becomes a temporary slump or a catalyst for reinvention will define their trajectory in the shortest format over the next decade.

Star India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan delivered a match-winning performance against arch-rivals Pakistan in Match 27 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scripting history in the process.

With a blistering 77 off just 40 deliveries at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Kishan became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to win the Player of the Match (POTM) award in T20 World Cup history.

🇮🇳 India vs Pakistan: A One-Sided Classic in Colombo

India dominated the high-voltage clash from start to finish, registering a commanding 61-run victory.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, India got off to a flying start courtesy of Kishan’s aggressive intent in the powerplay. His knock featured:

• Explosive stroke play against both pace and spin
• Smart gap-finding on a large Colombo outfield
• Excellent strike rotation under pressure
• Controlled aggression despite tricky pitch conditions

India posted a competitive 175 runs in the first innings — a total that proved more than enough on a slightly two-paced surface.

In response, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships and were bowled out for 114 runs, handing India a comprehensive win and confirming their qualification for the Super 8 stage.

🏆 Historic Milestone for Ishan Kishan

While India has had several iconic T20 World Cup performances over the years, Kishan’s achievement stands out for a unique reason:

👉 He is now the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to claim a Player of the Match award in the tournament’s history.

This milestone adds another chapter to India-Pakistan T20 World Cup encounters, often defined by individual brilliance under pressure.

🎯 Kishan’s Post-Match Reaction

Speaking after receiving the award, Kishan acknowledged the challenging conditions and emphasized preparation and self-belief.

“The wicket was not that easy. Sometimes, you just have to believe and focus on your strengths. I was just watching the ball and sticking to my strengths. I worked a lot on my off-side game so I can control where they bowl. On a big ground, you get bigger gaps — trying to hit the gaps and take twos was important. We knew 160–170 would be a good total.”

His clarity about strike rotation and targeting gaps highlighted a mature approach rather than reckless hitting — a key factor in India’s dominant performance.

📊 Match Turning Points

• Powerplay acceleration: Kishan’s fearless start put Pakistan’s bowlers under immediate pressure.
• Middle-overs stability: India avoided a collapse despite the surface offering grip.
• Disciplined bowling: Indian bowlers maintained tight lines, never allowing Pakistan to build momentum.
• Fielding intensity: Sharp ground fielding further squeezed the chase.

🌍 Why This Knock Matters

India-Pakistan clashes in ICC tournaments are among the most watched cricket matches globally. Performing in such high-pressure environments often defines careers.

Kishan’s knock:

• Reinforces his position in India’s T20 setup
• Showcases adaptability on slower tracks
• Demonstrates temperament in marquee games
• Strengthens India’s batting depth ahead of the Super 8

🔥 What’s Next for India?

With qualification secured, India will now look to carry this momentum into the Super 8 stage. Consistency in the middle order and continued aggressive starts could make them strong contenders for the title.

For Ishan Kishan, this innings could prove to be a defining moment in his T20 World Cup journey — one that may be remembered alongside India’s finest performances in ICC tournaments.

Final Take

In a match where expectations ran sky-high, Ishan Kishan rose above the pressure and delivered when it mattered most. Against Pakistan, on a global stage, he didn’t just score runs — he etched his name into T20 World Cup history.