'Grateful and proud': Jonathan Trott bids farewell after memorable Afghanistan journey

Chennai, India – Jonathan Trott’s four-year tenure as head coach of Afghanistan ended on Thursday night with an 82-run victory over Canada, a result that proved insufficient to propel the team into the next phase of the 2026 T20 World Cup. As the players completed their lap of appreciation at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Trott lingered at the boundary’s edge, applauding the travelling supporters and absorbing the moment that closed one of international cricket’s most unlikely success stories.

Appointed in 2022 after Graham Thorpe’s unexpected withdrawal, the former England batter inherited a squad rich in spin talent but searching for consistency against elite opposition. By the time he signed off, Afghanistan had reached their first T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024, recorded maiden bilateral triumphs over Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa, and climbed the global rankings to a position of genuine respect.

“I’m here by chance,” Trott admitted in the post-match press conference, crediting Thorpe for recommending him to the Afghanistan Cricket Board. “Graham was huge in my development as a coach and had full faith in me. I took the job with both hands and gave it my all.”

The 44-year-old’s impact was quickly evident. Under his watch, Afghanistan’s spin-centric attack evolved into a more balanced unit, while the batting line-up discovered the composure required to chase down totals against Full-Member nations. Victories that once felt seismic—such as the 50-over World Cup upset of Pakistan on the same Chennai ground—became part of an emerging pattern rather than isolated shocks.

Reflecting on the catalogue of achievements, Trott listed the breakthroughs with the enthusiasm of a coach still pinching himself: “Beating Pakistan here in a 50-over World Cup, two wins in St. Vincent, first bilateral series wins against Bangladesh away, beating South Africa—there have been lots of firsts.”

Yet the departing coach was quick to identify the gap that must close if Afghanistan are to remain upwardly mobile. “We need consistency and development of more seamers to aid Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman,” he stressed. “When the 2027 World Cup arrives in South Africa and Namibia, they’ll need to handle all varieties of conditions.”

The Afghanistan Cricket Board paid tribute on social media, posting: “Gratitude for a journey filled with progress and pride. Thank you, @Trotty, for your outstanding services as head coach since 2022. Your impact will always be remembered.”

For Trott, the next step is deliberately open-ended. “I’ll take a couple of days off and see how it goes,” he smiled, before adding a line that will pique the interest of English followers. “I’m very proud of where I played my cricket and always like to see the England side do well. I’d love one day to hopefully have the opportunity to coach a team you hold so dear to your heart.”

As the Afghanistan squad boarded their late-night flight home, players carried with them not only personal bests and career highlights, but the tactical education and belief instilled by a coach who arrived unexpectedly and departs universally respected. Trott’s farewell wave on the Chennai outfield marked the end of a chapter both he and Afghan cricket will long remember.