Afghanistan did well in 2023 ICC World Cup and reached the knockouts in 2024 T20 WC under Trott.
Former England cricketer Jonathan Trott got highly emotional as he bid adieu to his job as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team. Afghanistan played their last group game against Canada and crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2026 without qualifying for the Super 8s.
Afghanistan defeated Canada by 82 runs on Thursday to round up their season. As he recalled his time with the team that has emerged as a major contender in the white-ball formats, Trott suppressed his emotions.
Under Trott's leadership, Afghanistan advanced to the 2024 T20 World Cup knockout stage and nearly qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup semifinal.
"Maybe the time's right, maybe it's not. I don't know, but I wish everyone the best in the future. I'm very thankful for getting the opportunity. I got the opportunity by chance, really. Graham Thorpe was supposed to be the coach, but unfortunately, he couldn't take up the role.
I then got offered the job and took it with both hands. So I'm here by chance. I gave it my all. I hope the players can see the love that I have for the game and the care that I have for them as players and as people," Trott said in the post-match interaction.
Trott, who was born in South Africa, stated that seeing players' personal development firsthand was one of the most important lessons he learned.
"...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 also the ability for players to change their families' fortunes and trajectory as a family and as a group of people.
So, I think through this game we've been able to see that, and to be able to play a small part in that is very satisfying. Forget the cricket side; seeing guys equipping themselves and developing as young boys when I took over and developing into young men is very worthwhile," he noted.
Trott admitted that his emotions had been heavy, with the tournament's uneven results compounding the disarray in his thoughts.
"I think I've caught myself at times where I just think we've been a little bit unlucky at times. Obviously, we'd love a centimeter or two against South Africa to get across the line," he said, referring to the devastating loss to the Proteas after two Super Overs.
"Who knows how South Africa would have played the next game against New Zealand if we had won that game in normal time and not extra time, as well, if we'd wanted extra time or the Super Over. I'm very thankful for the opportunity, and that's all I have to really say on that," he added.
(PTI inputs)