Fresh off a T20 World Cup 2026 setback, Afghanistan has turned to veteran coach Richard Pybus to succeed Jonathan Trott as head coach. The ACB’s decision comes ahead of the white-ball series versus Sri Lanka, starting March 13, where Pybus will make his mark.
Trotta leaves behind a revolutionized team that stunned the world with ODI World Cup 2023 wins over powerhouses and a T20 semi-final in 2024. Pybus, the 61-year-old UK native (July 5, 1964, Newcastle), had a low-key playing career—one first-class match, 4 runs for Suffolk—but excelled in coaching.
From 2013-2019 with West Indies, he held key roles and witnessed their 2016 clean sweep of World Cups. Pakistan reached the 1999 final under him, losing narrowly to Australia, and he briefly coached Bangladesh. Armed with CSA Level 4 certification, Neuroleadership credentials, performance coaching, and advanced NLP skills, Pybus is equipped for high-stakes roles.
Afghanistan’s spin wizards and aggressive batsmen crave major silverware. Pybus’s history of building champions positions him perfectly to chase that first Asia Cup or World Cup. The Sri Lanka series is the proving ground. If he replicates past successes, Afghan cricket could enter a triumphant phase, captivating fans globally.