Outline: Afghanistan Cricket Coaches – Evolution, Impact, and Future

Cricket was introduced to Afghanistan in the late 19th century by British troops. Its popularity grew significantly when its refugees returned from Pakistan in the 1990s. The Afghanistan Cricket Federation was established in 1995, and by 2001, the country became an ICC affiliate. The country achieved ODI status in 2009 and played in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Other sports, like tennis bets, gained interest, but cricket remains the most important sport, influenced by international coaches. In 2017, Afghanistan was granted full Test status, focusing on strategic and tactical development in coaching.

With only one year or so until 2024, Afghanistan becomes a power-coach, beautifully infusing both international and local input.

Key coaches in Afghanistan cricket history

Afghanistan’s cricketing history is filled with game-changing mentors who helped transform the team from an underdog to a global powerhouse. Here’s a look at some of the most influential trainers in national cricket history:

1. Rashid Latif (Pakistan) – The Foundation Builder

Rashid Latif was appointed as an national coach in 2010 and did a lot for the growth of national cricket in the early days. He introduced structured training, fitness programs and skill development and shifted the focus from natural talent. His leadership got Afghanistan international recognition and entry to ICC tournaments. Even after he stepped down in 2011 his legacy set a benchmark for future mentors and cricket in this country keeps moving forward.

2. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – The World Cup Visionary

Inzamam-ul-Haq was an Afghanistan coach from 2015 till 2016. In 2015 they reached the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time, from being “underdogs” to a strong team. He focused on results and player development, strengthened the batting order and created a solid middle order. His mentoring style promoted aggression and strategy and helped Afghan players to succeed on the international stage.

3. Phil Simmons (West Indies) – The Test Cricket Mentor

In 2017 Phil Simmons was appointed as Afghanistan’s coach and helped the country rise to Test nation status. He brought professionalism and adaptability to the already brave white ball team. Under his leadership the country won a big Test match against Bangladesh in 2019. Simmons instilled values like patience and discipline and maximized the talent of spinners like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. He made players believe they belong at the highest level and turned the squad into a respected team in all formats of the game. He stepped down in 2019.

Afghanistan’s cricket and coaches today

Let’s see who are Afghanistan coaches 2024 and what they’ve done for the team.

Jonathan Trott – Main coach

Trott has achieved great success as head coach of cricket team since July 2022, leading the team to its first-ever T20 World Cup semi-finals with notable wins against Australia and New Zealand. In the ODI World Cup in India, the team also qualified for its first Champions Trophy by performing well against England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. 

Recently, the national squad won bilateral ODI series against South Africa and Bangladesh, both finished with a 2-1 score. Trott has trained the team in 34 ODIs, winning 14, and in 44 T20Is, winning 20. Currently, Afghanistan is touring Zimbabwe, and Trott will only mentor in ODI matches due to personal commitments. Hamid Hassan will serve as head coach in Trott’s absence. The domestic Cricket Board renewed Trott’s contract until 2025 in December 2024, supporting his efforts to enhance the national team’s international status.

“Coaching Afghanistan is not just about cricket—it’s about resilience, passion, and an unwavering belief that this team can compete with the world’s best.“
— Jonathan Trott

Andrew Puttick – Batting coach

In a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Andrew Puttick from South Africa was appointed the batting coach, and Gordon Parsons, who played domestic cricket in England and South Africa, was chosen as a mentor to the U19 team. 

Puttick, left-handed opening batter from Western Province, South Africa, made quite an early impact by scoring his first-class hundred in just his third first-class match. He had a distinguished domestic career with 173 first-class matches, 172 List A matches, and 83 T20 matches, accumulating around 17,000 runs including 40 hundred and 85 fifties, although he played just one ODI for South Africa. In 2023, he worked as the Afghanistan batting coach of the Pakistan men’s team, including during the Men’s ODI World Cup in India. 

Other mentoriing jobs have included batting consultant for the South Africa women’s Emerging Team during the 2019-2020 period and from 2019 till 2023, assistant coach of South Africa ‘A’ and batting coach of the South Africa Men’s Emerging Team.

Hamid Hassan – Bowling coach

Hamid Hassan is a former bowler who played his last ODI match in the Men Cricket’s World Cup in 2019 and T20l in the T20 World Cup in 2021. In general he picked up 59 wickets in 38 ODI games and also 35 T20l wickets in 25 appearances.

He was appointed as the Afghanistan bowling coach of the national team in March 2023. His tenure began with the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan.

Hassan took over from Umar Gul, the former Pakistan pacer, whose contract ended earlier that year. In 2023 the Cricket Board had only extended the contracts of head coach Jonathan Trott and fielding coach Ryan Maron, leaving the bowling coach position vacant.

Hassan expressed his deep connection with this sport, calling it his passion for the past two to three decades. He described his retirement from playing as a difficult decision but said he was making this move for the benefit of Afghanistan cricket. He also expressed excitement about working with the young fast bowlers, aiming to make them as strong as the country’s traditionally dominant spin department.

Shane McDermott – Fielding Coach

In 2024 the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the appointment of Shane McDermott as the fielding coach of the national team. He officially joined the squad in February during Afghanistan’s all-format tour of Sri Lanka.

McDermott holds a High Performance Level Three Coaching Certificate and has extensive experience working with various cricket teams, including:

He also played mentoring roles in several recent ICC tournaments, including ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Impact of training on Afghanistan’s cricket performance

Afghanistan cricket’s rise isn’t just about raw talent or sheer passion — training has played a monumental role in shaping this team into a serious global competitor. Over the years, the national team trainer has been tasked with turning fearless, street-smart cricketers into disciplined match-winners.

Tactical improvements and team development

Afghanistan has always been a team full of natural flair, but early on, their aggressive style often lacked structure and game awareness. Under the likes of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Phil Simmons, and now Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s cricketing IQ has soared.

• Better Game Awareness – the squad now plays with tactical discipline, adjusting their approach based on conditions and opposition strengths.
• Refined Batting Techniques – Gone are the days when the country relied solely on explosive hitters. Now, with Andrew Puttick as the batting coach, the players have learned how to rotate strike and build innings effectively.
• Balanced bowling attacks are considered to be well sorted out with Hamid Hassan at the helm of affairs, Afghanistan should no longer just be the land of world-class spinners. They are applying themselves to grooming an all-round attack that can hold its own in all three formats of the game.

Impact on young cricketers and grassroots development

One of the biggest transformations in Afghan cricket has been the rise of youth programs and domestic coaching setups.

• U19 and Academy Focus – With Gordon Parsons mentoring the U19 team, young cricketers now receive proper training from an early age, allowing them to transition smoothly into the senior side.
• More Structured Training – Before Afghanistan’s rise, players relied on instinct and backyard skills. Now, they have access to professional training setups, helping them refine their game from a young age.

The mentoring impact is undeniable — the country has evolved from an Associate Nation to a full-fledged international powerhouse.

Challenges faced by Afghanistan national cricket team coaches

Despite their meteoric rise, training in Afghanistan comes with its own set of challenges. The Afghanistan head coach must navigate a unique set of obstacles that many other teams don’t face.

Political instability and training limitations

To be fair-coaching in Afghanistan is not like mentoring in England, Australia, or India. Political instability has typically led to scheduling hassles, financial constraints, and problems in accessing international venues.

Because of that most of the training camps and series have moved to the UAE because of security reasons. 

Moreover, foreign trainers have raised apprehensions regarding long-term engagements in the country. Top-tier coaching facilities rarely appear in Afghanistan — his country lacks a vast network of world-class stadiums and training academies.

Funding remains another major issue, as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) doesn’t have the same financial backing as big cricketing boards like the BCCI or ECB.

New strategies and the future of coaching in Afghanistan cricket

For quite a long time, Afghanistan played spin-inclined cricket with players such as Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi forming the spine of the team.

Afghanistan has never been able to create world-class fast bowlers but with Hamid Hassan as the country bowling coach, the team is finally focusing on making genuine pacers.

With Afghanistan cementing itself as a competitive cricketing nation, the next phase is all about sustainability and growth. Mentoring will play a huge role in ensuring that the team remains a cricketing powerhouse.

Plans for further training staff expansion

Afghanistan has already appointed specialists in key areas, but there’s still room for growth.

• The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is looking to recruit a Performance Analyst, Strength and Conditioning Trainer to modernize training programs.
• More investment in local coaches is needed to develop a homegrown coaching structure instead of relying on foreign expertise.

Developing domestic coaching programs

A strong domestic setup for training is a key to long-term success.

First of all, training academies need to expand beyond major cities like Kabul. More local trainers need to be trained and certified to ensure quality coaching at the grassroots level.

Secondly, the focus should be on looking for new talents, so young sportsmen have more possibilities to get into the national team.

How Afghanistan can build on recent successes

Afghanistan cricket isn’t just about quick wins anymore — it’s about building a sustainable sports culture.

The main goal is to consistently reach ICC tournament knockout stages. Besides, by developing Test cricket further, Afghanistan can establish itself as an all-format team. 

Expanding T20 leagues and domestic tournaments is also very important because it will ensure that young talents get proper exposure before stepping into international cricket.

Afghanistan has come too far to slow down now—the next five years will be crucial in defining their legacy.

Top Achievements of Afghanistan Cricket Under Different Coaches

• Qualified for ICC Cricket World Cup (2015, 2019, 2023).
• Reached the 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-finals under Jonathan Trott.
• Won first-ever ODI series against a Full Member team (Zimbabwe, 2015).
• Historic Test win against Bangladesh (2019).
• Multiple successful ICC T20 World Cup campaigns.

FAQ: Afghanistan Cricket – The Coaches, Challenges & Future

1. How did cricket become so popular in Afghanistan?

Cricket in Afghanistan has an origin story like no other. The game first touched Afghan soil back in the late 19th century, thanks to British troops stationed in the region. But it wasn’t until the 1990s—when Afghan refugees returned from Pakistan—that the sport really took off. These passionate cricketers brought the game home, sparking a movement that would eventually lead to the formation of the Afghanistan Cricket Federation in 1995. From that moment, the country was on a fast track to international success, culminating in ODI status in 2009 and their World Cup debut in 2015.

2. When did Afghanistan gain Test status?

Afghanistan made history in 2017 when the ICC granted them full Test status. The rise had been nothing short of remarkable—within a decade, they went from playing regional qualifiers to competing with the biggest names in the game. It wasn’t just about getting Test status; it was proof that Afghan cricket had arrived and was here to stay.

3. How important have coaches been in Afghanistan’s rise?

Absolutely crucial. While Afghanistan has always had raw talent, it was the coaches who turned them into a competitive force. Structured training, fitness regimens, and game awareness—these were all drilled into the squad by top international mentors. Over the years, Afghanistan has seen some serious coaching talent step in and help refine their game, making them a legitimate threat in world cricket.

4. Who are some of the most influential coaches in Afghanistan’s cricket history?

Several big names have left their mark on Afghan cricket:

• Rashid Latif (Pakistan) – The man who laid the foundation, bringing in structure and professionalism in 2010.
• Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – Took Afghanistan to their first-ever World Cup in 2015 and built a more aggressive, well-rounded squad.
• Phil Simmons (West Indies) – Oversaw Afghanistan’s rise to Test cricket and helped them win a historic Test against Bangladesh in 2019.
• Jonathan Trott (England) – The man leading the charge today, guiding Afghanistan to their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024.

5. What has Jonathan Trott brought to the table as head coach?

Since taking over in 2022, Trott has taken Afghanistan to a whole new level. Under his leadership:

• They reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2024—a milestone no one saw coming.
• They secured massive wins against Australia and New Zealand—teams that used to dominate them.
• They qualified for their first-ever Champions Trophy, proving they belong among the elite.

Trott’s impact? Game-changing.

6. Who’s running the show in Afghanistan’s coaching setup right now?

As of 2024, here’s the team pulling the strings behind the scenes:

• Jonathan Trott (Head Coach) – The mastermind shaping Afghanistan’s fearless approach.
• Andrew Puttick (Batting Coach) – Helping Afghan batters develop more consistency and tactical awareness.
• Hamid Hassan (Bowling Coach) – A former Afghan fast bowler working to balance the pace-spin attack.
• Shane McDermott (Fielding Coach) – Making sure the squad is sharp in the field and capable of match-winning moments.

7. What are the biggest challenges for Afghanistan’s cricket coaches?

Coaching Afghanistan is nothing like coaching England, Australia, or India. It’s a completely different ball game. Here’s why:

• Political instability – This affects everything, from scheduling tours to securing training facilities.
• Limited resources – Afghanistan doesn’t have the luxury of top-tier academies like the BCCI or ECB do.
• Financial constraints – Less money means fewer resources for scouting, training, and equipment.
• Foreign coach concerns – Many international coaches hesitate to commit long-term due to external uncertainties.

Despite all this, Afghanistan keeps punching above their weight. That says everything about the resilience of this team.

8. What’s being done to develop fast bowlers in Afghanistan?

For years, Afghanistan has been all about spin. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi—you name it, they’ve had world-class spinners. But fast bowling? Not so much.

Now, with Hamid Hassan as the bowling coach, things are changing. The goal is to develop a strong pace attack that can complement their legendary spinners, making Afghanistan a force in all formats.

9. What does the future of Afghanistan’s coaching look like?

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) knows that long-term success depends on a strong coaching setup. That’s why they’re focusing on:

• Expanding coaching staff – Bringing in performance analysts and strength & conditioning experts.
• Developing local coaches – Reducing reliance on foreign expertise and building a sustainable coaching structure.
• Strengthening grassroots programs – More training academies in different regions, ensuring young players get professional coaching early on.

10. What are some of Afghanistan’s biggest cricketing achievements under different coaches?

• Qualified for ICC Cricket World Cups – 2015, 2019, and 2023.
• Historic Test win against Bangladesh – 2019, proving they could compete in the longest format.
• First-ever ODI series win against a Full Member nation – Zimbabwe, 2015.
• T20 World Cup semi-final appearance – 2024, under Jonathan Trott.

Afghanistan’s journey isn’t just about cricket—it’s a story of resilience, passion, and sheer willpower. And with the right coaching in place, the next chapter could be even bigger.