Jonathan Trott’s tenure as head coach of Afghanistan’s national cricket team will conclude after the T20 World Cup, with Thursday’s match against Canada marking his final game in charge.
Trott, the former England batsman, has led Afghanistan since July 2022. Initially appointed on an 18-month contract, he received an extension in 2024 and was renewed again through 2025.
Ahead of the team’s final group-stage match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, praised Trott’s impact on the side.
“We have a series against Sri Lanka straight after the World Cup and then the IPL,” Rashid said at a pre-match news conference. “Tomorrow is Jonathan Trott’s last game with us. We’ve had some unbelievable games and tours with him. He has been someone who has taken Afghanistan cricket to where it is now.”
Rashid credited Trott with helping transform Afghanistan into a more competitive white-ball side, highlighting his work with individual players.
“I think he has worked so hard with every single one,” Rashid said. “Definitely, everyone around us will miss him so much. He played a main role in taking this team on the right path.”
Afghanistan’s campaign in the 2026 T20 World Cup ended at the group stage. With one match remaining, the team sits third in Group D with two points and a net run rate of minus 0.215. The group also includes South Africa, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Canada.
Though Afghanistan are out of contention for the knockout rounds, Thursday’s match offers an opportunity to finish the tournament on a positive note — and to give Trott a fitting send-off.
