Chennai: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and opener Ibrahim Sadran paid heartfelt tributes to former England batsman Jonathan Trott following his latest appointment as Afghanistan’s head coach during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Canada on Thursday.
Afghanistan’s team put up an impressive performance as they beat Canada by 82 runs in their final match.
Chasing a mammoth target of 201 to win, Afghanistan restricted Canada to 118/8 in 20 overs. Despite a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket between Harsh Thackeray and Saad Bin Zafar, the Canadian batting line-up failed to mount a serious challenge.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, the top-order batsman, who was named man of the match, dedicated his award to head coach Jonathan Trott and made a heartfelt gesture marking the coach’s final day with the team.
He acknowledged Drott’s significant role in shaping the team’s progress and building their confidence on the international stage.
“I would like to dedicate the Man of the Match award to our coach Jonathan Trott. I have learned a lot from him – he has encouraged and supported not only me but the entire team,” said Sadran.
“Under his guidance, we have achieved a lot in international cricket and ICC events. This is his last day with us and we really miss him. I wish him all the best for the future,” he added.
Rashid Khan paid heartfelt tributes to the outgoing head coach and credited Trott for his instrumental role in the team’s growth, stability and rise on the international stage, saying his leadership helped shape the team into a competitive unit in world cricket.
“In the last four, four-and-a-half years since he joined the team, we’ve had some wonderful time with him (Drott). I feel like he’s done a lot for Afghanistan cricket. He’s been instrumental in saving the team where we are now,” Khan said.
The 27-year-old leg-spinner admitted Trott’s departure will leave an emotional void in the dressing room, highlighting the strong bond the coach has built with the players during his tenure.
“It’s very emotional to see him leave us, but that’s life. You know, you can’t be there forever, but we wish him the best and see him around the corner somewhere in the coming events,” she said.
The 44-year-old was appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach in July 2022. It was announced in November that he would step down at the end of the campaign.
Under his leadership, Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – losing for the first time in the last four matches of the tournament.
The team finished in the top eight of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, registering notable wins against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands to establish themselves as a formidable force in 50-over cricket.
Afghanistan further underlined their progress with ODI series wins over South Africa and Bangladesh, cementing Drott’s legacy as one of the most influential coaches in the country’s cricketing history.