Jonathan Trott will conclude his tenure as head coach of the Afghanistan national cricket team at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka this coming February. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) made this announcement on Monday. The ACB confirmed that Trott’s departure is part of a long-term strategy following the World Cup.
Under the guidance of former England batter Trott, Afghanistan’s white-ball cricket has seen significant success. In the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan finished in sixth place. They were in a strong position to reach the semifinals, but their hopes were dashed when Australia, led by Glenn Maxwell’s double century, edged them out.
The following year, Afghanistan reached the semifinals of the T20 World Cup held in the United States and the West Indies. During the tournament, they defeated Australia, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Their campaign ended in the semifinals after a defeat to South Africa. Afghanistan also played excellent cricket in bilateral series under Trott’s leadership.
Reflecting on his time with Afghanistan, Trott said, “It has been an honour to work with Afghanistan’s cricketers. Witnessing their hunger, passion, and efforts to achieve the best has been a remarkable experience. I am proud of what we have achieved together. I will always remain a supporter of Afghan cricket. I wish the team and the nation continued success in the future.”
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan commented, “Trott has played an important role in our cricketing journey. He has helped players grow, given them the confidence to compete against recognised big teams. We are now focused on the 2026 World Cup and beyond. This change is part of that vision.”
ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed gratitude to Trott, saying, “We extend our heartfelt thanks on behalf of the cricket board for the professionalism Trott instilled in the national team and his dedication to the job. With his assistance, Afghan cricket is now entering a new phase of development. We wish him continued success in his future endeavours.”
A few days ago, reports had emerged about a rift between Trott and the ACB. Trott had mentioned that he was not informed about the team selection process and had been kept in the dark about certain matters. However, after a conversation with the ACB, he clarified that there had been a misunderstanding between both parties. This was followed by the announcement of his resignation.