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The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has extended Jonathan Trott’s tenure as the head coach of the Afghanistan men’s cricket team until the end of 2025. Trott’s next assignment will be the ODI series against Zimbabwe during Afghanistan’s upcoming multi-format tour. However, for personal reasons, Trott will not oversee the Test and T20 matches on the tour. Hamid Hassan will step in as head coach for these formats, with Nawroz Mangal serving as his assistant.
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A Stellar 2024 for Afghanistan Cricket
Trott’s contract extension comes after a historic 2024 campaign for Afghanistan, which featured several significant milestones:
- T20 World Cup Success: Afghanistan made their first-ever World Cup semi-final appearance, defeating heavyweights like New Zealand and Australia in the group and Super Eight stages.
- ODI Series Wins: The team secured series victories against South Africa and Bangladesh in Sharjah.
- Champions Trophy Qualification: Afghanistan qualified for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, finishing in the top eight of the 2023 ODI World Cup standings. Their World Cup campaign included victories over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, marking a new high for the team on the global stage.
Trott’s Coaching Journey
Trott, who first took over in July 2022, has seen Afghanistan win:
- 14 of 34 ODIs
- 20 of 44 T20Is
This ongoing stint marks his first major head coach role. Trott had previously served as a consultant for Scotland during the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Jonathan Trott: The Player-Turned-Coach
As a player, Jonathan Trott was one of England’s most reliable batsmen:
- Test Career: Scored 3835 runs in 52 matches at an average of 44.08, playing a key role in England’s 2010-11 Ashes victory in Australia.
- ODI Career: Accumulated 2819 runs at an average of 51.25, including four centuries and 22 fifties.
Afghanistan’s Immediate Focus
Trott’s immediate goal will be the ODI leg of the Zimbabwe tour, with the Champions Trophy looming as Afghanistan’s next big international challenge. The team aims to build on their recent success and continue their remarkable ascent in global cricket.
