AFG vs CAN T20 World Cup 2026: Jonathan Trott, who was the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team, was seen getting emotional while attending his last press conference as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team, post their clash against Canada in the ongoing mega event. He will resign after the end of the 2026 T20 World Cup, as he first took over the reins way back in 2022.

After becoming Afghanistan's head coach, he changed their luck completely and helped them become one of the upcoming teams in world cricket. The former England cricketer helped them have a dream run during the 2023 ODI World Cup as they had beaten formidable teams like Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka, and almost gave Australia a run for their money. After that, during the 2024 T20 World Cup, he guided Afghanistan to the semifinals, where they defeated teams like New Zealand and Australia.

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After winning the match against Canada, it was Trott who attended the post-match press conference, where he talked about his experience as the coach of this team and what their future is. And that's why he was seen getting emotional as he recalled their first series against Ireland under him, and he acknowledged how talented this team was.

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"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, yeah - I said I didn't want to get upset. I just remember my first trip when we were in Ireland, and I just saw things that I realised that these boys are so talented and focused," Trott told reporters in the post-match press conference.

"And if you just want to add a little bit of structure to the mindset, professionalism, and the high standards that we hold ourselves to, not individuals, but we hold each other to those high standards and professionalism. I remember seeing Ibra for the first time, I remember seeing Azmat for the first time, I remember seeing Gurbaz for the first time, and thinking, what amazing players. Let's try to build on what we've got, this natural raw talent. Cool, thanks. And let's see where we can get to. We had the names Mujeeb, Nabi, Rashid, all these guys. But it's just one of those things. And I remember how chaotic that first tour was, to where we are now is chalk and cheese," he added.

He also revealed that he was impressed with the way these Afghan players play at the top level, even though they face a lot of challenges in their home, as they lack infrastructure and proper cricket academies, which can help to groom the young players.

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"The players need so much credit because of the level they operate at and the advantages and the things that they're afforded as youngsters to develop their skills and their passion for the game. They operate at such a high level compared to what they're afforded compared to other countries, but 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 that they can do that, handle the pressure, but also the background, they don't have the sort of day-to-day coaching that young players have, academies and facilities and all these things and schooling," he said.

'TAKE MY HAT OFF TO ALL OF THEM'

Before their last group stage match against Canada, Rashid Khan gave a brilliant tribute to Trott, and then Ibrahim Zadran, who was adjudged the Player of the match award, also dedicated his award to him. Trott expressed his gratitude to all the players and ensured that he will stay as their fan despite resigning as the coach.

"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. And, so for me, it's the level they operate at that will always amaze me, and from watching from afar, I'll always be very fond and want the guys to do well," he concluded.


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