Jonathan Trott Steps Down As Head Coach: What’s Next For Afghanistan After Their T20 World Cup Exit?

In a bittersweet send-off, Jonathan Trott coached the Afghanistan cricket team to an 82-run victory over Canada in Chennai on February 19, 2026. While the win wasn't enough to secure a Super Eight spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup, it served as a fitting coda to a three-and-a-half-year tenure that saw Afghanistan cricket reach unprecedented heights. Trott leaves behind a team that has shed the 'underdog' tag, departing as a genuine force on the global stage.

Jonathan Trott is a South Africa-born former England cricket player who represented England in 127 international matches between 2009 and 2015, winning three consecutive Ashes series before transitioning into a cricket coaching career.

Why Did Jonathan Trott Step Down From Coaching?

Trott's contract with the Afghanistan cricket team was always tied to a defined cycle. As per Dubai Eye 103.8, his exit was formally announced in November 2025, with both parties agreeing the T20 World Cup 2026 would serve as a natural and planned conclusion to his tenure.

How Did Afghanistan Cricket Look Before Trott Took Over?

Before Trott's arrival, Afghanistan cricket players were competitive but inconsistent and rarely made it to major global tournaments. The team had talent in Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, but lacked the tactical structure and batting depth to convert individual brilliance into collective results on the biggest stages.

What Were Afghanistan's Biggest Moments Under Trott?

In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan defeated England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, finishing sixth in a ten-team tournament, as reported by CREX. 

In March 2023, they also beat Pakistan 2-1 in a three-match T20I bilateral series at Sharjah, UAE - their first-ever series win over a top-six ICC team. 

What Was the Peak of Trott's Cricket Coaching Journey? 

The pinnacle came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan reached the semi-finals for the first time, defeating Australia, Bangladesh, and New Zealand along the way. 

They also claimed Afghanistan's first-ever bilateral ODI series win against South Africa in September 2024. According to ESPNcricinfo, by the end of 2025, Afghanistan had won 29 of 61 T20Is and 20 of 43 ODIs. The team nearly doubled its T20I win rate after Jonathan Trott took over as head coach. 

How Did Afghanistan Perform at the T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan finished third in Group D with two wins in four matches. As per Reuters, losses to New Zealand and South Africa in their first two games ended their Super Eight hopes despite dominant victories in their remaining fixtures.

What Made Their Final Game Against Canada So Special?

On February 19, 2026, Ibrahim Zadran scored an unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, the highest individual score by an Afghan player in T20 World Cup history, as Afghanistan finished at 200/4. 

Spinner Mohammad Nabi took four wickets for just seven runs as Canada was dismissed for 118. It was a fitting goodbye for Jonathan Trott, high on flair and precision.

What is Trott’s Legacy?

Trott leaves behind a squad with depth. Before 2022, the team relied almost exclusively on Rashid Khan. Today, players like Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are global stars in their own right.

What Comes Next for Jonathan Trott?

Trott hinted at his desire to coach England one day, the country where he built his reputation as a cricket player. For now, the 44-year-old says he will take a brief break before his next move, with the cricket coaching world watching closely. 

Who Will Lead Afghanistan Cricket Team Next?

As per the Afghanistan Cricket Board's (ACB) official statement, the process to appoint a new head coach will formally begin after the T20 World Cup 2026. No candidate has been named yet. 

With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, the ACB faces the pressing task of finding a successor capable of sustaining the momentum Trott has built.

(With inputs from yMedia)