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Jonathan Trott to step down as Afghanistan head coach after T20 World Cup 2026

Arunima Purohit

Jonathan Trott to part ways with ACB [Source: @cricbuzz/X]Jonathan Trott to part ways with ACB [Source: @cricbuzz/X]

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that head coach Jonathan Trott will step down after the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in India and Sri Lanka. This signifies the end of a very successful period in Afghanistan cricket as the board begins to implement a fresh approach to its coaching framework that retains a long-term focus on development and consistency across all formats.

Afghanistan's rise in Trott's tenure

Jonathan Trott, who joined the team in the middle of 2022, was a key figure in a significant turnaround that made Afghanistan one of the most competitive teams in international cricket. During his tenure, the Afghan side achieved several successes in every format, most importantly reaching the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2024 and securing impressive results against top teams, including England and Pakistan. His well-organized plan and focus on discipline were instrumental in the players' technical and mental development.

Moreover, Trott's leadership helped to bring professionalism and confidence among the players, who were previously known for their raw talent only. The team under him became widely known for their fearless approach in batting, the tactical use of bowling changes, and they also improved at adapting to foreign pitches. 

"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," said Trott.

ACB's strategic shift ahead of next phase

The ACB revealed that parting ways with Trott after the T20 World Cup 2026 is only a small part of their overall plan to gradually introduce new ideas and a new structure when the team begins a new cycle. The board, with a view to the future, aims to build on the recent momentum by finding a coach who can help Afghanistan become one of the strongest teams in the 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. The ACB aims to ensure a smooth transition in the staff lineup ahead of the significant international events scheduled for 2026 and beyond.