Jonathan Trott has always been known for his calm and measured approach to cricket, earlier as a player and now as a coach. But even his patience seems to be wearing thin. The South Africa-born former England cricketer, who has been the head coach of the Afghanistan men’s team since 2022, has openly expressed frustration over what he describes as a complete breakdown in communication with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Afghanistan recently suffered a heavy defeat to Zimbabwe in Harare, losing by an innings and 73 runs in their one-off Test. For Jonathan Trott, the result was disappointing but what concerned him more was the lack of involvement he claims to have had in team decisions leading up to the match. Speaking to a Zimbabwe-based outlet, Jonathan Trott revealed that he was given no role in selecting the squad or even the playing XI for the Test.
He said that he had repeatedly tried to reach out to the ACB officials, including the chief selector and the chairman, but received no response. According to Jonathan Trott, his attempts to communicate with the board have been ignored since the Asia Cup, where Afghanistan crashed out in the group stage despite being considered one of the stronger contenders.
The coach expressed sadness over being sidelined in a role where collaboration and discussion should be central. He noted that in his previous coaching experiences, he always had a say in selection and strategy but that hasn’t been the case with Afghanistan in recent months. Jonathan Trott said that such lack of input makes it hard for him to do his job effectively and to guide the players in the right direction.
Adding to the uncertainty, Jonathan Trott admitted he was unsure about his future with the team. He said that while he was told his tenure runs until the T20 World Cup later this year, he hasn’t received any clarity on what will happen after that. He also hinted that his “job description” may have changed without formal communication. Despite this confusion, Trott stated that his immediate focus remains on preparing for the upcoming T20 series against Zimbabwe, which he expects to be a tough and competitive contest.
Since taking charge in July 2022, Jonathan Trott has played an important role in Afghanistan’s rise on the global stage. Under his guidance, the team enjoyed a strong campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup and later performed impressively in the 2025 Champions Trophy. His disciplined approach and ability to build trust among players had been praised by fans and experts alike, which makes the current rift all the more surprising.
The challenges being faced by Afghanistan cricket go beyond the pitch. The country has been grappling with political and social instability and the ACB itself has been drawn into controversy. Recently, the board expressed grief over the de*ths of three young local cricketers, alleging that the tragedy was caused by a Pakistani air strike. In response, Afghanistan withdrew from a planned tri-series involving Pakistan, citing security and moral concerns.
In the midst of this turmoil, Jonathan Trott’s comments shed light on deeper issues within Afghan cricket — lack of transparency, communication and direction. For a team that has fought so hard to earn its place among the elite, the disconnection between the coach and the board could prove costly.
As the T20 series against Zimbabwe approaches, Jonathan Trott is choosing to focus on the immediate task — rebuilding momentum and keeping his players motivated. But his words carry an unmistakable tone of disappointment that of a coach who wants to build something lasting but feels left out of the very process that could make it happen.
