KABUL: Jonathan Trott will continue as Afghanistan’s head coach until the end of 2025 after being awarded a one-year extension, the country’s cricket board said.
The England international Trott have overseen a breakthrough year, the cricket board said, hailing his “significant contributions”.
The 43-year-old has impressed in the role and was linked to the England job in July after Matthew Mott stood down as their white-ball coach.
Afghanistan made significant progress under former English batter Trott, reaching the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup for the first time earlier this year.
He also guided Afghanistan to victories over former champions England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at last year’s One-day International World Cup.
Afghanistan’s impressive performances under Trott ensured them a top-eight finish which ensured they will play in the Champions Trophy, the premier one-day competition after the World Cup, for the first time next year.
“Afghanistan Cricket Board confirms the extension of the contract with Mr Jonathan Trott, the national team’s head coach, for the year 2025,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board said. “The decision comes in after his successful two and a half-three year tenure, during which he made significant contributions to the team’s progress and development.”
Trott will oversee the team during the ODI leg of their multi-format tour of Zimbabwe this month but will miss other matches for personal reasons.
Trott’s next assignment is a one-day series in Zimbabwe starting next week, but he will not be present for T20s or Tests during the all-format tour because of “personal commitments”, the ACB said.
Hamid Hassan will fill in for Trott in Zimbabwe.
Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2024