The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) wants the national team’s new head coach and support staff to work outside Afghanistan in the off-season, CEO Naseeb Khan said on Friday (February 20). Afghanistan are now without a head coach after Jonathan Trott’s tenure ended following the conclusion of their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign.
Trott began his work with the national team in 2022 and propelled Afghanistan to new heights in international cricket, including big wins against the likes of Pakistan and Australia in ICC events. Afghanistan made it to the semi-finals of the FIFA T20 World Cup in 2024 but had to bow out in the group stage this year. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Khan said that the ACB wants the national team coaches to keep a close eye on the country’s domestic cricket stars and work on the national team’s weaknesses during the off-season.
“In the contract (of the head coach and other overseas coaches), we have stated that their workplace will be Afghanistan,” Naseeb said. “We want the national team coaches to keep a close eye on our domestic cricketers. And when there are no series scheduled, they should work on improving the weaknesses of the national team.”
WHEN WILL THE NEW AFGHANISTAN BE FINALIZED?
Khan revealed that the process of finding Trott’s successor is already underway and the new coach will be finalized ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which will begin once the T20 World Cup ends. The ACB boss said there are two names from South Africa and one Asian on the shortlist at the moment but decided not to name them.
“They have shortlisted three coaches and their interviews have also taken place. We will announce the appointment of the new head coach before the Sri Lanka series once the recruitment is complete. Two of them are from South Africa and one is from Asia. We have not signed them yet so it would be premature to name them,” said Khan.
ACB will be hoping to usher in a new era for Afghanistan after Trott’s tenure in the team.
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Published on:
February 21, 2026