Trott and Afghanistan to part ways after 2026 T20 World Cup

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed that head coach Jonathan Trott will conclude his tenure with the national team following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February.

The board said the decision is part of its long-term strategy to usher in the next phase of Afghanistan’s cricketing development.

Trott, who took charge of Afghanistan in 2022, has played a key role in shaping the team. Under his leadership, Afghanistan recorded several notable victories against higher-ranked opponents and delivered memorable performances in major tournaments, raising the team’s international profile. A highlight of his tenure was guiding Afghanistan to their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final finish in 2024.

A former England international with 52 Tests and 68 ODIs, Trott expressed gratitude for his time with the Afghan side, praising the players’ dedication and resilience.

“It has been a privilege to work with the Afghanistan National Team and to witness 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. I wish the team and the Afghan people continued success in the years ahead.” Trott said.

Addressing the transition, the ACB emphasized the need for evolving leadership in international cricket.

“Just as teams evolve, so do their leadership and strategic needs. No international side remains under a single coach forever, and this change marks a new chapter for Afghanistan as the Board continues building toward long-term excellence,” the board said.

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf said: “On behalf of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, I extend our sincere gratitude to Jonathan Trott for his dedicated service and the professionalism he brought to our national team. His efforts have supported a crucial period in the development of Afghanistan cricket, and we wish him every success in his future endeavors.”

ACB CEO Naseeb Khan added: “Jonathan has played an important role in our journey, helping our players grow in confidence and compete against the world’s strongest sides. As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, this transition is part of our broader plan to take Afghanistan cricket to its next level.”

Afghanistan recently completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe, and having finished in the top four in the previous T20 World Cup, the team is expected to be a strong contender in the 2026 tournament in India and Sri Lanka.