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Proud Trott bids farewell to Afghanistan, looks ahead to next coaching chapter

Looking ahead, Trott believes Afghanistan’s next leap will depend on developing a deeper pool of fast bowlers to complement world-class spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

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After guiding Afghanistan through one of the most successful periods in its cricketing history, Jonathan Trott departs with pride, perspective, and an eye on what comes next.

Afghanistan’s campaign at the T20 World Cup concluded on Thursday despite a commanding 82-run win over Canada in Chennai. Earlier losses to New Zealand men’s cricket team and South Africa men’s cricket team meant they fell short of reaching the Super Eights.

For Trott, the victory marked his final match at the helm, closing a tenure that included Afghanistan’s historic run to the semi-finals at the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup. The former England international leaves behind a period of rapid team growth and landmark results.

“I always feel very fortunate enough to have had a lot of memories as a player but also now as a coach as well,” Trott reflected. “I think even at this ground (in Chennai), beating Pakistan, I think, the first time in the World Cup, 50-over game, beating England, two games in St. Vincent, that’s World Cup stuff.”

Trott also highlighted Afghanistan’s progress in bilateral cricket, including milestone wins over Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa. “So I’m very fortunate enough to have coached some really great players, some really good humans, a good bunch of guys and areas to improve everywhere.”

Looking ahead, Trott believes Afghanistan’s next leap will depend on developing a deeper pool of fast bowlers to complement world-class spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

“The consistency and development of some more seamers that will aid the spinners and not just be heavily reliant on spinners, develop some seam bowlers so that when the team plays in conditions perhaps like the World Cup in 2027 (in South Africa and Namibia), they’ll be able to handle all different varieties of conditions,” Trott noted.

Despite being tipped as a strong contender for future coaching roles worldwide, the 44-year-old said he first plans to take a short break. “I’ve really enjoyed this and I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe have a couple of days off and see how it goes. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the World Cup goes. Gee, I wish we were still here and able to play in the next round,” Trott said.

Trott also admitted that coaching England remains a personal dream.

He leaves Afghanistan grateful and proud. “I’ve certainly enjoyed the last couple of years here. My tenure here has been ups and downs, but I’ve some great memories.”

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Omar Zawak thrash Istiqlal Kabul 5-1 in ACL

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Omar Zawak secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Istiqlal Kabul in the 80th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan, delivering an impressive attacking performance.

The match was played in Kabul on Tuesday. Both teams struggled to find the back of the net in the first half, which ended goalless.

However, Omar Zawak stepped up their attacking efforts in the second half, scoring five goals to take control of the match. Istiqlal Kabul managed to score just once as Omar Zawak sealed a convincing 5-1 victory.

Omar Zawak will face Ariana Khost in their next match on November 12, while Istiqlal Kabul will take on Aino Mina Kandahar on the same day.

All matches of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.

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First Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe ends in a draw

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Zimbabwe produced a remarkable batting display to secure a draw against Afghanistan in the first Test in Sharjah, with Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere scoring unbeaten centuries on the final day.

Resuming the fifth and final day at 164/3, Zimbabwe finished on 523/5 in their second innings, following their first-innings total of 504. This marked the first time in Test cricket history that a team has scored more than 500 runs in both innings of a match.

Craig Ervine remained unbeaten on 206, while Madhevere scored 100 not out, as the pair frustrated Afghanistan’s bowlers throughout the day.

Ervine, aged 41 years and 82 days, became the third-oldest player to score a double century in Test cricket.

Afghanistan had posted 514 in their first innings. Afghanistan needed early wickets to put pressure on the hosts, but Zimbabwe’s batters showed patience and discipline on a pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers.

Brian Bennett scored a half-century before Mohammad Saleem dismissed him, while debutant Antum Naqvi contributed 61 runs. Naqvi and Ervine shared a 140-run partnership before Abdul Malik broke the stand.

However, Madhevere joined Ervine and the pair put together an unbeaten 208-run partnership for the sixth wicket, the highest for that wicket in Zimbabwe’s Test history. Madhevere also registered his maiden Test century during the partnership.

The result leaves the two sides level heading into the second and final Test, which is scheduled to begin in Sharjah on November 13.

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Portugal beat Afghanistan 2-0 in Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals

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Afghanistan’s Under-18 futsal team missed out on a place in the gold medal match at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in the semi-finals on Monday.

Portugal took the lead through Joao Carvalho, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Afghanistan’s Ahmad Esmaeili to score into an unguarded net from inside his own half.

Diego Ferreira doubled Portugal’s advantage before half-time, putting the European side firmly in control of the match.

Afghanistan pushed hard to get back into the game in the second half, creating several opportunities to reduce the deficit. However, they were unable to find the net, with Portugal goalkeeper Bernardo Borges making several important saves.

The victory sends Portugal into the gold medal match, while Afghanistan will now compete for the bronze medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

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