Tag: Afghanistan Cricket Board

Afghanistan Cricket Team head coach Jonathon Trott is set to step down from his role following the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the decision in a statement, stating that the board is focusing on long-term planning.

“ACB recognises that coaching transitions are a natural part of the global cricketing ecosystem. Just as teams evolve, so do their leadership and strategic needs,” the board said in a statement.

“No international side remains under a single coach forever, and this change marks a new chapter for Afghanistan as the board continues building toward long-term excellence. This decision comes as part of ACB’s long-term strategic planning for the next phase of the national team’s growth.”

Former England player Trott occupied the head coach role in July 2022. He has been pivotal in the team’s rise as a competitive white-ball team. Initially, Trott was appointed for 18 months, but his contract was extended for a year in 2024 and then again through 2025.

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Besides an impressive showing in the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan also defeated England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and came close to toppling the eventual champions, Australia, in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Following the announcement, Trott shared his thoughts and shed light on his tenure in which the Afghanistan team reached new heights.

“It has been a privilege to work with the Afghanistan National Team and to witness their passion, resilience, and hunger to achieve greatness,” he said

“I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I will always remain a supporter of Afghan cricket. I wish the team and the Afghan people continued success in the years ahead,” he continued.

Trott already has his next assignment lined up, as head coach of ILT20 franchise Gulf Giants for the upcoming season. The tournament is scheduled to begin on December 2. He was the head coach of Pretoria Capitals for the 2024-25 SA20 but was replaced by Sourav Ganguly after one season.

Jonathon Trott has already lined up his next role as the head coach of the ILT20 franchise, the Gulf Giants, in the forthcoming season, which is set to begin on December 2.

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LONDON: International Cricket Council (ICC) will discuss Afghanistan’s international status in its upcoming meeting amid the ongoing exile of the country’s women’s cricket team, reported BBC on Thursday. 

According to the news report, Afghanistan women’s side escaped the country after the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. They fled to Pakistan before most of them were issued emergency visas to Australia.

As a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Afghanistan ought to have a women’s side in place. The ICC board meeting, taking place on Monday in Dubai, will discuss the matter.

The report suggests that members of the Afghanistan women’s team say they have still had no contact from the sport’s leaders, despite previous appeals for support.

“They wrote to the ICC in December but the global governing body have said it is an issue for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB),” it claimed.

The report added that the women’s players were hoping the ICC would take action to enable them to represent Afghanistan from their base in Australia.

It may be noted here that Afghanistan became a full ICC member in 2017, which comes with an obligation to develop a national women’s team.

However, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) awarded the central contracts to 25 female cricketers for the first time in 2020. 

ACB also received a $ 37 million grant from the iCC to be invested in the development of the game for both men and women.

The contracted female cricketers were paid for the first six months before the Taliban came to power and they stopped receiving their salaries.

After seizing control, the Taliban government banned women from participating in sports, visiting universities and working for NGOs.

In light of the women’s restrictions, Australia pulled out of three-match ODI series against Afghanistan to be played in the United Arab Emirates in March.

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KABUL: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Thursday condemned Cricket Australia’s statement and decision to withdraw from the ODI series by terming it “pathetic and unfair”.

In an official statement, ACB expressed their disappointment over Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision to withdraw from the ODI series, citing the increased restrictions on women under Taliban rule and also announced to take the matter officially to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“Afghanistan Cricket Board is extremely disappointed and saddened by the pathetic statement of Cricket Australia to withdraw from Afghanistan’s home three-match ODI series in March and will officially write to the International Cricket Council about the issue,” an ACB statement read.

The cricket board further termed CA’s decision an “unfortunate attempt to enter the realm of politics and politicize the sport” while also blaming the Australian board for undermining the integrity of the sport.

“Cricket Australia’s decision to withdraw from upcoming matches against Afghanistan is coming after consultation and potential enforcement from the Australian Government which is an unfortunate attempt to enter the realm of politics and politicize the sport,” ACB statement read.

“By prioritizing political interests over the principles of fair play and sportsmanship, Cricket Australia is undermining the integrity of the game and damaging the relationship between the two nations,” it added.

The Afghan board also threatened to “rethink” about the participation of Aghan players in the ongoing BigBash League if the decision to withdraw does not get overturned.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is closely monitoring the situation and is considering taking action, including officially writing to ICC and rethinking the participation of Afghan players in the Big Bash League (BBL), if the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan’s home series is not overturned,” stated ACB.

Notably, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan announced to consider his future in the BigBash League in response to Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision to withdraw from the ODI series against Afghanistan.

Cricket! The only hope for the country.
Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials ♥️ 🇦🇫 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZPpvOBetPJ

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 12, 2023

 

“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March. I take great pride in representing my country and we have made great progress on the world stage,” wrote Rashid.

“This decision from CA sets us back in that journey. If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL.

“Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition.”

Whereas, another Afghan cricketer Naveen-ul-Haq, who represents Sydney Sixers in BBL, has already announced to part ways with the franchise league after the withdrawal announcement by the Australian board.

time to say won’t be participating in big bash after this until they stop these childish decisions that’s how they went about the one off test now ODI when a country is going through so much in place off being supportive you want to take the only reason of happiness from them #CA

— Naveen ul haq Murid (@imnaveenulhaq) January 12, 2023

“Time to say won’t be participating in big bash after this until they stop these childish decisions that’s how they went about the one off test now ODI when a country is going through so much in place off being supportive you want to take the only reason of happiness from them,” he tweeted soon after the Cricket Australia’s (CA) pull-out decision.

It is worth mentioning that CA on Thursday announced that the decision to pull out of the series was taken in the wake of the Taliban’s recent announcement regarding further restrictions on women and girls’ education and employment.

“Following extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Australian Government, Cricket Australia has decided that it is unable to proceed at this time with the upcoming ICC Super League three-match Men’s ODI series between Australia and Afghanistan scheduled for the UAE in March 2023,” the CA statement said.

“This decision follows the recent announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms.”

READ: Rashid to ‘consider’ his BBL future after Australia’s withdrawal from ODIs

KABUL: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has appointed former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul as the bowling coach for the national team’s upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Umar, who has coached at the domestic level in Pakistan and also in the country’s marquee tournament – Pakistan Super League (PSL) is now set to take the coaching role of the Afghan cricket team.

The former pacer has worked as the bowling coach of the PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators and also in Kashmir Premier League (KPL).

Umar will be taking the role of bowling coach for a three-week stint but the contract can be extended depending on his impact on the side. The 37-year-old will join the Afghanistan cricket team’s camp in Abu Dhabi on April 4.

Taking to Twitter, the former pacer expressed his gratitude and said he is honoured to be taking the role.

Honoured to be taking up this role with the @ACBofficials . Looking forward to imparting the best of the knowledge that i have and making it worth it for the boys. https://t.co/ouIYa0St2t

— Umar Gul (@umargul_55) April 1, 2022

“It’s a pleasure to be connected with an international squad after coaching in the PSL, KPL, LPL, and domestic leagues. With my experience, I will do my best to assist the Afghan bowlers.” Umar said.

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