In an emotional farewell that captured the profound bond between a coach and his team, Jonathan Trott broke down in tears during his final press conference as Afghanistan’s head coach following his team’s 82-run victory over Canada in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday. The 44-year-old former England international, whose three-and-a-half-year tenure ends after this tournament, struggled to contain his emotions when asked to reflect on his journey with the Afghan side .
An emotional moment for Jonathan Trott
The press conference at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium took an emotional turn when Trott was asked about his time with the team. Words failed him as tears welled up, forcing a brief pause while he composed himself. “Well, I just think, and I could sit here and tell you so many stories of things that I’ve seen with my own eyes, but in the talent, yes – I said I didn’t want to get upset,” Trott admitted, wiping away tears.
What followed was a heartfelt tribute to a team he described as possessing “natural raw talent” that needed only “a little bit of structure to the mindset, professionalism, and the high standards” to flourish on the international stage .
Afghanistan’s consolation victory in a bittersweet T20 World Cup 2026
Afghanistan signed off from the tournament with an emphatic win over tournament debutants Canada, their second win of the campaign. Earlier defeats to New Zealand and the heartbreak of a double Super Over loss to South Africa meant the 2024 semi-finalists could not progress to the Super 8 stage, with South Africa and New Zealand advancing from Group D .
Opener Ibrahim Zadran starred with an unbeaten 95 off 56 balls the highest individual score by an Afghan in this World Cup – while veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi claimed remarkable figures of 4 for 7 to bundle Canada out for 118 .
Trott’s emotional reflection about the Afghan team: From chaos to cohesion
Trott’s emotional response stemmed from witnessing the team’s remarkable transformation since he took charge in July 2022 . He recalled his first tour with the team in Ireland, contrasting the “chaotic” beginnings with the polished outfit that now commands respect worldwide.
“I remember my first trip when we were in Ireland, and I saw things that made me realise these boys are so talented and focused,” Trott said, his voice heavy with emotion. “I remember seeing Ibra (Ibrahim Zadran) for the first time, I remember seeing Azmat (Azmatullah Omarzai) for the first time, I remember seeing Gurbaz (Rahmanullah Gurbaz) for the first time and thinking, what amazing players. Let’s try and build on what we’ve got, this natural raw talent.”
The outgoing coach emphasized how far the team has progressed: “That first tour to where we are now is chalk and cheese.”
Throughout his emotional address, Trott repeatedly redirected credit to his players, highlighting the extraordinary circumstances from which Afghan cricket emerges. Unlike established cricketing nations, Afghanistan lacks permanent home facilities, academies, and structured coaching pathways for young players .
“They operate at such a high level compared to what they’re afforded compared to other countries, yet they can come on this stage and compete and almost people expect us to be in the semifinals and finals, which I find amazing,” Trott observed .
Drawing a poignant contrast with his own privileged upbringing, he added: “The amount of coaching I’ve had compared to the coaching that these guys are now operating at international levels is chalk and cheese. So, I take my hat off to every single one of them.”
For Trott, the most satisfying aspect of his tenure extended far beyond on-field achievements. He spoke movingly about witnessing players transform not just as cricketers but as individuals capable of changing their families’ circumstances .
“The great joy for me in this job is being able to see the players develop off the field as well and lives change, not just on the field but the ability for players to change their families’ fortunes and trajectory as a family and as a group of people,” he said. “Forget the cricket side, seeing guys equipping themselves and developing as young boys when I took over and developing into young men is something that is very worthwhile.”
Trott’s tenure, which began in July 2022 after Graham Thorpe was originally slated for the role but couldn’t take it up, saw Afghanistan reach unprecedented heights . Under his guidance, the team reached their first T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024 and came agonizingly close to the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup in 2023 .
Reflecting on key achievements, Trott recalled: “Beating Pakistan for the first time in a World Cup, beating England, bilateral series wins away from home against teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, all these sorts of things.”
What next for Trott?
With his Afghanistan chapter closed, Trott admitted uncertainty about his future while hinting at a possible desire to coach England – the team he represented with distinction as a player .
“I’m not going to let you put words in my mouth,” he remarked when directly asked about the England job, before adding with characteristic honesty: “I’ve really enjoyed this and I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe have a couple of days off and see how it goes.”
On coaching England specifically, he conceded: “I’m very proud of where I played my cricket and always like to see the England side do well. I’d be lying. I’d love to one day hopefully have the opportunity to coach a team that you hold so dear to your heart.”
Even in farewell, Trott offered constructive guidance for the team’s continued development. He identified the need to build greater depth in seam bowling to complement their world-class spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, particularly with an eye on the 2027 World Cup in South African conditions .
“The consistency and development of some more seamers that will aid the spinners and not just be heavily reliant on spinners, develop some seam bowlers so that when the team plays in conditions perhaps like the World Cup in 2027, they’ll be able to handle all different varieties of conditions,” Trott advised .
As Trott walked away from his final press conference as Afghanistan head coach, the emotion on display underscored a truth that transcended cricket.
Here’s the video:
It was an emotional press conference for Jonathan Trott, it shows how profoundly meaningful the experience was for him and how much he loved working with Afghanistan Cricket Team.
Thank you coach and all the best @TrottyVia @ICC #T20WorldCup #AFGvCAN pic.twitter.com/CvvKBjnVJN
— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) February 19, 2026
