Is the ACB Setting Out to Find a New Coach and Support Staff?
Synopsis
The Afghanistan Cricket Board is actively pursuing a new head coach and support staff to enhance domestic cricket engagement. ACB's Naseeb Khan emphasizes the importance of a hands-on approach as they prepare for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Will this recruitment reshape Afghanistan's cricketing future?
Key Takeaways
The ACB is searching for a new head coach and support staff.
New appointments are expected to be based in Afghanistan.
The aim is to improve engagement with domestic cricket.
Upcoming series against Sri Lanka is a priority for the ACB.
Three candidates have been shortlisted for the head coach role.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is on the lookout for a new head coach and a team of support staff, with the explicit requirement that they will be stationed in Afghanistan during the off-season, as stated by ACB's chief executive, Naseeb Khan.
After the resignation of Jonathan Trott following Afghanistan's early exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the board is moving ahead with plans to appoint a new leader. Trott's departure has initiated a restructuring process, and the ACB is eager to ensure that the next coach is more engaged with the domestic cricket landscape.
“In the contract for the head coach and other overseas coaches, we have made it clear that their duty station will be Afghanistan. We want our national team coaches to closely monitor our domestic cricket players. They should focus on enhancing the national team's weaknesses during off-series periods,” Khan informed Cricbuzz.
The ACB aspires to have the new head coach appointed prior to Afghanistan’s forthcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which will consist of three One-Day Internationals and three T20 matches, slated to occur in Dubai and Sharjah from March 13 to 25, shortly after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup wraps up.
Khan expressed optimism that the board will finalize the new appointment ahead of the Sri Lanka series, underscoring that the recruitment process is well underway.
“Our HR and technical department are diligently working on the recruitment of our next head coach. They have shortlisted three candidates and interviews have been completed. We will announce the new head coach before the Sri Lanka series once the hiring is confirmed,” he affirmed.
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are set to engage in a limited-overs series in Dubai immediately following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This series will feature three T20 Internationals, followed by three One-Day Internationals, likely scheduled from March 13 to 25, with the T20I matches commencing first.
Afghanistan was eliminated in the group stage of the current T20 World Cup, while Sri Lanka, co-hosts with India, progressed to the Super 8s and is now contending for a semifinal berth.
Point of View
It's crucial that Afghanistan's cricketing structure is reinforced through this hiring process. The ACB's commitment to local engagement is commendable, as it aims to build a stronger national team capable of competing on the international stage. As the nation rallies behind its cricketing ambitions, this move could be pivotal for future successes.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jonathan Trott resign as head coach?
Jonathan Trott resigned following Afghanistan's elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
What is the ACB's expectation for the new coach?
The ACB expects the new coach to be based in Afghanistan and to engage closely with domestic cricket.
When is the upcoming series against Sri Lanka?
The series against Sri Lanka is scheduled from March 13 to 25, including three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals.
How many coaches has the ACB shortlisted?
The ACB has shortlisted three candidates for the head coach position.
What is the significance of this recruitment?
This recruitment is seen as a vital step in enhancing Afghanistan cricket and improving the national team's performance.
