The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that Jonathan Trott's tenure as head coach will conclude following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February in India and Sri Lanka. The decision is part of ACB's long-term strategy for the national team's next development phase.
Trott, who assumed the role in mid-2022, has been instrumental in Afghanistan's rise as a competitive force in international cricket. Under his guidance, the team achieved significant milestones, including victories against higher-ranked opponents and memorable tournament performances, enhancing their global reputation. A highlight of his tenure was Afghanistan's first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final appearance in 2024. They had narrowly missed a semi-final spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup, despite defeating England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan secured wins against New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.
The ACB stated that this transition marks a new chapter for Afghanistan as they continue building toward long-term excellence, noting that "no international side remains under a single coach forever". The board aims to build on recent momentum by finding a coach who can help Afghanistan become one of the strongest teams in ODI and Test formats, while maintaining their high performance in T20Is. The decision is considered a timely measure taken by the authorities, rather than a reaction to the team's poor performance.
Trott, who represented England in 52 Tests and 68 ODIs before coaching, expressed gratitude for his time with Afghanistan and lauded the players' determination. "It has been a privilege to work with the Afghanistan National Team and to witness their passion, resilience, and hunger to achieve greatness," he said. "I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I will always remain a supporter of Afghan cricket. I wish the team and the Afghan people continued success in the years ahead".
The ACB aims to ensure a smooth transition in the staff lineup ahead of significant international events scheduled for 2026 and beyond. In related news, batting coach Andrew Puttick will also depart in December 2025, as his contract expires. In their recent matches, Afghanistan secured a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe. Having finished in the top four during the previous edition of the tournament, the Asian side will be among the teams to watch in the next T20 World Cup.
