Post their T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage exit, Afghanistan bids farewell to head coach Jonathan Trott, whose four-year reign elevated the team dramatically. The ACB is poised to unveil a successor before facing Sri Lanka in white-ball cricket, enforcing a novel off-season residency clause.
The board demands the new appointee and staff reside and work in Afghanistan during lulls in the international calendar, fostering deeper ties with homegrown talent.
As per CEO Naseeb Khan, ‘Contracts stipulate Afghanistan as the hub. This allows scrutiny of domestic circuits and focused remediation of team frailties sans series commitments.’
Shortlists feature two South Africans and an Asian, post-interview. A fresh dawn awaits, Khan hinted mysteriously.
Trotta’s 2022 onboarding sparked a revolution: Shock ODI World Cup 2023 victories versus Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka; T20 2024 semi-finals after toppling Australia, New Zealand. Across Tests, ODIs, T20s, his blueprint forged a battle-hardened unit, ensuring his name resonates in Afghan cricket lore forever.