New Delhi: Jonathon Trott, an Englishman, will be remembered as an Afghanistan icon long after his spell as the head coach of the national cricket team. The former England batter, who has etched his name in the historybooks of Afghanistan cricket with his immense contribution, ended his four-year long association with the team after the win against Canada in a T20 World Cup 2026 Group D contest in Chennai on Thursday.
Trott’s role in Afghanistan’s rise in the cricket world is beyond comparison. After taking charge in 2022, Trott instilled belief, confidence and a winning mentality in the players. During his tenure, Afghanistan registered several stunning victories, including triumphs over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The Afghans nearly pulled off the biggest win of them all against Australia, but for Glenn Maxwell’s miraculous knock.
Afghanistan followed their giant-killing run in the T20 World Cup 2024, beating Australia, New Zealand, and Bangladesh and reached their maiden ICC semifinal.
However, in Trott’s farewell tournament, Afghanistan couldn’t replicate their past performances in the T20 World Cup 2026 and bowed out of the group stage with two wins and as many losses.
With their fate already sealed, Afghanistan played a perfect game against Canada and gave Trott a winning send-off.
Zadran dedicates Player of the Match Award to Trott
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his 95-run knock, dedicated his award to Trott and thanked him for the support and guidance.
During his final press conference as Afghanistan coach, Trott couldn’t control his emotions and broke down in tears as he answered reporters’ questions. However, he managed to gather the courage to praise the Afghanistan team.
Emotional Trott bids goodbye
“Well, I just think, and I could sit here and tell you so many stories of things that I’ve seen with my own eyes, but in the talent, yes – I said I didn’t want to get upset. I just remember my first trip when we were in Ireland, and I saw things that made me realise these boys are so talented and focused. And if you just us to add a little bit of structure to the mindset, professionalism, and the high standards that we hold ourselves to, not individuals, but we hold each other to those high standards and professionalism,” he said.
Trott stated that times have changed and people now expect Afghanistan to play in the semifinals and finals, which is commendable due to the limited resources in the country.
“They operate at such a high level compared to what they’re afforded compared to other countries, but yet they can come on this stage and compete and almost people expect us to be in the semifinals and finals, which I find amazing that they can do that, handle the pressure, but also the background, they don’t have the sort of day-to-day coaching that young players have, academies and facilities and all these things and schooling,” he said.
🚨 EMOTIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE OF JONATHAN TROTT 🚨
“I don’t want to get upset. I just remember my first trip when we were in Ireland & I just realized that these boys are so talented and focused. Today is my last day in the office.”
A must watch video 🥺pic.twitter.com/ZY3NKiENRG
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) February 20, 2026
Afghanistan were left to rue the Super Over loss against South Africa. The Asian side wasted several opportunities to close the match, which eventually cost the team a place in the Super 8s.
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