Jonathan Trott, the head coach of Afghanistan’s national cricket team, will leave his position after the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for February and March 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Since his appointment in July 2022, Trott has taken the helm of Afghanistan cricket and dedicated himself to serving the team. His leadership has proved pivotal in the team’s stunning success, including their run to the semi-finals of last year’s T20 World Cup.
Trott’s coaching career has spanned more than three years, but he’s never been to Afghanistan. He now splits his time between Birmingham, England and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is Afghanistan’s primary training base and home to most of its fixtures. During training camps, Trott has observed the dedication and hard work of players who predominantly live in Afghanistan and participate in various domestic cricket leagues.
In looking back on his year of service with the club, Trott said he enjoyed the experience and was thankful for the opportunity. He noted how privileged he felt to coach a group of players characterized by their “passion, resilience, and hunger to achieve greatness.”
“I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I will always remain a supporter of Afghan cricket,” – Jonathan Trott
Trott’s departure represents another change for the Afghan cricket team as they seek to build and improve ahead of their first full World Cup in 2023. He has been nothing short of earnest in underscoring his passion for grooming talent amongst the roster and tones of endless possibilities with this club.
The majority of the players continue to reside in Afghanistan. To that end, Trott has adapted his coaching strategies to suit the specific challenges they encounter. His frequent travel to the UAE allows him to stay intimately familiar with the players. That allows him to make sure those athletes are best positioned to compete internationally.
The upcoming T20 World Cup presents an opportunity for Afghanistan to showcase their growth under Trott’s leadership. His ideas and tactics have gone a long way in raising the collective skill level beautifully. Alongside that, they’ve really created a culture of team first mentality with the players.
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