ACB Sets Strict Base Rule for Next Head Coach After Trott’s T20 World Cup Exit
Afghanistan cricket is at a crossroads. Jonathan Trott has stepped down following Afghanistan’s group stage exit at the T20 World Cup 2026, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board isn’t wasting any time. The ACB chief executive has confirmed that three coaches have already been shortlisted, interviewed, and a decision is expected before their next international assignment. Stay updated with all the latest from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as the tournament heads into its business end.
Bottom line: The new coach must be based in Afghanistan — not coaching remotely from abroad. ACB wants boots on the ground, watching domestic players and fixing the national team’s weaknesses during off-season windows.
Why Trott Left and What Went Wrong
Jonathan Trott had been a stabilising presence for Afghanistan cricket, but the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage exit proved to be the final chapter. Afghanistan failed to progress to the Super Eights, and Trott subsequently stepped away from his role.
It was a disappointing tournament for a side that had shown real promise in recent years — notably their stunning victory over England at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The pressure to replicate and build on that success was immense, and failing at the first hurdle this time around made the transition inevitable.
ACB’s Bold Demand: The Coach Must Live in Afghanistan
This is the part that makes ACB’s approach genuinely different. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan was clear — the new head coach’s official duty station will be Afghanistan itself, not a comfortable base abroad.
“We want the national team coaches to closely observe our domestic cricket players. And when there are no series scheduled, they should work on improving the national team’s weak points,” Naseeb told Cricbuzz.
This is a smart move. Afghan domestic cricket has produced raw, explosive talent for years, but the pipeline between domestic and international cricket has historically been inconsistent. Putting the head coach inside the system — not parachuting them in for series only — could genuinely change how Afghanistan develops players long-term.
What the New Coach Will Be Expected to Do
- Live and work in Afghanistan during the off season
- Monitor and assess domestic players directly
- Identify and fix the national team’s technical weak points
- Build a stronger connection between first-class cricket and international selection
- Work alongside ACB’s technical department on player development
The Three Candidates: What We Know
ACB has not revealed names yet — and Naseeb was straightforward about why. Contracts haven’t been finalised, so going public would be premature. But here’s what has been confirmed:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total candidates shortlisted | 3 |
| Candidates from South Africa | 2 |
| Candidates from Asia | 1 |
| Interview status | Completed |
| Announcement timeline | Before Sri Lanka series |
| Decision authority | HR and Technical Department |
Two South African candidates is an interesting choice. South Africa has a deep coaching culture, particularly in white-ball cricket, and several former Proteas players and coaches have successfully worked across Asian conditions. The Asian candidate brings familiarity with subcontinental cricket — which matters for Afghanistan given they play a lot of cricket in the UAE and Indian subcontinent.
The Sri Lanka Series: ACB’s Hard Deadline
The appointment needs to happen fast. Afghanistan’s upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka is scheduled for Dubai and Sharjah from March 13 to 25, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is. ACB wants the new head coach in place before that series begins.
| Format | Matches | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 3 | Dubai / Sharjah | March 13–25 |
| T20Is | 3 | Dubai / Sharjah | March 13–25 |
That’s a tight window. The T20 World Cup concludes shortly before, which means ACB needs to finalise contracts almost immediately. Given that interviews are already done and three candidates are in the frame, an announcement within the next two weeks is realistic.
For fans keeping tabs on how Afghanistan performed in this tournament and where they stand heading forward, the Super Eight group standings give full context on the tournament picture.
What This Means for Afghanistan’s T20 Future
Afghanistan are a genuine force in T20 cricket. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran — these aren’t journeymen, they’re match-winners on any given day. The issue has never been individual brilliance. It’s been consistency, structure, and tactical cohesion.
A coach who is embedded in the Afghan system — watching domestic matches, building relationships with emerging players, correcting technical issues before they become habits — could be the ingredient that transforms Afghanistan from occasional giant-killers into a consistently competitive side.
The Afghanistan team profile at T20 WC 2026 tells the story of a squad with undeniable potential. The next chapter depends heavily on who walks into that dressing room as head coach before the Sri Lanka series.
FAQs
Why did Jonathan Trott leave as Afghanistan head coach? Trott stepped down following Afghanistan’s group stage exit at the T20 World Cup 2026.
Who are the candidates to replace Trott as Afghanistan coach? ACB has shortlisted three candidates — two from South Africa and one from Asia. Names haven’t been officially confirmed yet.
When will Afghanistan’s new head coach be announced? ACB expects to announce the appointment before the Sri Lanka white-ball series starting March 13, 2026.
Where will Afghanistan’s new coach be based? The ACB has stated that the new coach’s duty station will be in Afghanistan, not abroad.
What series does Afghanistan play next after the T20 World Cup 2026? Afghanistan face Sri Lanka in three ODIs and three T20Is in Dubai and Sharjah between March 13–25, 2026.
Why does ACB want the coach based in Afghanistan? To closely monitor domestic players and actively work on the national team’s weaknesses during the off season.
