Jonathan Trott will stay as Afghanistan head coach for another year after the country’s cricket board extended his contract until 2025.

The announcement comes a few months before next year’s Champions Trophy, where Afghanistan will make their first appearance.

The 43-year-old former England batter has been the head coach of Afghanistan since July 2022 and, under his leadership, the team has made impressive strides in international cricket.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board wishes Trott the best of luck for his time next year with Afghan Atalan as he strives to further elevate Afghan cricket on the world stage,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board said (ACB) in a press release.

Under Trott, the team has achieved significant milestones, including reaching their first ever T20 World Cup semi-final this year with stunning wins over Australia and New Zealand.

Afghanistan also had a memorable ODI World Cup last year in India, where they stunned England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, finishing among the top eight teams to secure their maiden appearance in the Champions Trophy .

Moreover, Afghanistan recently triumphed in the bilateral ODI series against South Africa and Bangladesh in Sharjah, winning both by 2-1.

Since Trott’s appointment, Afghanistan have played 34 ODIs, winning 14, and in 44 T20Is, they have 20 wins.

The team is currently touring Zimbabwe for an all-format series, which includes three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

However, Trott will accompany the team only for ODI matches as he will remain unavailable for T20Is and Tests due to personal commitments, the ACB added.

In Trott’s absence, Hamid Hassan will become head coach, while Nawroz Mangal, who recently guided Afghanistan to victory in the Emerging Asian Cup, will serve as assistant head coach for the series, adds the press release.