Jonathan Trott hopes World Cup performance uplifts spirits in earthquake-hit Afghanistan

Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott is optimistic that his players can "bring joy and happiness" to their fans during the ODI World Cup after a devastating earthquake that killed over 2000 people and injured thousands.

During their eight-wicket loss to India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Afghanistan were seen wearing black armbands in memory of the earthquake victims. Star Afghan all-rounder Rashid Khan has already informed that he will donate all his match fees from the World Cup "to help the affected people '' and his foundation has raised over £30,000 in an emergency appeal.

Trott stated that the team held a meeting after learning of the disaster, and many players donated their match fees to those in need. He went on to say that while none of the players' families have been directly affected, their thoughts go out to the affected people.

"When the news broke of the disaster, straightaway the players wanted to know what they could do. We had a team meeting and a lot of players have donated from their match fees.

"Hopefully, all the money gets to places that can help and make a difference rescuing people or with their recovery. The players have been really good. No-one as such has been affected family-wise, but I'm sure their thoughts go out to their countrymen and women," Trott was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

Trott went on to say that the players wanted to make their country proud of them, and they will put in impressive performances to make it happen. Trott will play against the nation he played for 75 times in limited-overs internationals and 52 times in Test cricket for the second time in his coaching career. 

"The players certainly know that their performances here will bring joy and happiness to the country. They want their country to be proud of them… there's seven more games to go in this World Cup, and plenty of opportunities to put in good performances and make everyone in Afghanistan proud. There's no extra motivation. It's just another team that, hopefully, we can beat," he added.