Afghanistan National Cricket Team Coaches List: The Afghanistan cricket team has been playing the sport since 2001 and has been active in it. They are now one of the top sides in history and among the most successful ones. The Afghanistan national team was coached by former Pakistani cricketers Kabir Khan and Rashid Latif in its initial years in 2001.
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Jonathan Trott is widely considered the most successful coach for the Afghanistan national cricket team due to his significant achievements and contract extension through 2025. There are a few who have had the head coach role for Afghanistan on more than one occasion. In this article, we will talk about the Afghanistan national cricket team coaches from the start.
List of Afghanistan national cricket team coaches: Full List 1971-2025
| No. | Coach | Stint | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taj Malik | 2001-2008 | Afghanistan |
| 2 | Kabir Khan | 2008-2010 | Pakistan |
| 3 | Rashid Latif | 2010-2011 | Pakistan |
| 4 | Kabir Khan | 2011-2014 | Pakistan |
| 5 | Andy Moles | 2014-2015 | England |
| 6 | Inzamam-ul-Haq | 2015-2016 | Pakistan |
| 7 | Lalchand Rajput | 2016-2017 | India |
| 8 | Phil Simmons | 2017-2019 | West Indies |
| 9 | Lance Klusener | 2019-2021 | South Africa |
| 10 | Jonathan Trott | 2022-present | England |
Taj Malik (2001- 2008)
Former Afghan cricketer Taj Malik was the first person to become the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team. He represented Afghanistan as a player before moving into coaching. In 2001, he was appointed as the Afghanistan cricket team’s first head coach. Previously, he had also been associated with the team in various developmental roles during its early years of international recognition.
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Kabir Khan ( 2008-2010) :-
Former Pakistan cricketer Kabir Khan was one of the early head coaches of the Afghanistan cricket team. He played in international cricket for Pakistan as a left-arm fast bowler before moving into coaching. In 2008, he was appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach and guided the team in its rapid rise through the ranks of international cricket. Previously, he had been involved with Afghanistan cricket during its development phase and later returned for multiple coaching stints with the team.
Rashid Latif (2010-2011)
Former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif served as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team from 2010 to 2011. He played 37 Tests and 166 ODIs for Pakistan as a wicketkeeper-batter during his international career. In 2010, he was appointed Afghanistan’s head coach, bringing his experience to the developing side. Previously, he had also worked in coaching and mentoring roles after his retirement from international cricket.
Kabir Khan (2011-2014)
Former Pakistani cricketer Kabir Khan served as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team from 2011 to 2014. He played 4 Tests and 10 ODIs for Pakistan in his career before moving into coaching. During his tenure, he guided Afghanistan to significant successes, including qualification for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Previously, he had also coached the team in an earlier stint starting in 2008.
Andy Moles (2014-2015)
English cricketer Andy Moles was the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team from 2014 to 2015. A former opening batsman with 211 first-class matches in his career, he later transitioned into coaching at the international level. In September 2014, he was appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach and guided the team during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Previously, he had also coached teams like Kenya, Scotland, and New Zealand.
Inzamam-ul-Haq (2015-2016)
Legends Pakistani cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq served as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team from 2015 to 2016. He was one of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen, having played 120 Tests and 378 ODIs in his career. During his tenure as Afghanistan’s coach, he helped the team improve its performance on the international stage and secure notable victories. Previously, he had been involved in mentoring and guiding young cricketers before taking on the Afghanistan coaching role.
Lalchand Rajput (2016-2017) :
Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput served as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team from 2016 to 2017. He played 2 Tests and 4 ODIs for India during his career. In 2016, he was appointed as Afghanistan’s coach and guided the team through key international series. Previously, he had also worked with the Indian team as a manager during the 2007 T20 World Cup victory.
Phil Simmons (2017-2019) :-
Former West Indian cricketer Phil Simmons served as the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team from 2017 to 2019. He played 26 Tests and 143 ODIs for the West Indies during his career. In December 2017, he took charge of Afghanistan and was instrumental in preparing the team for its debut Test match in 2018. Previously, he had coached other international sides, including Ireland and the West Indies.
Lance Klusener (2019-2021) :-
Former South African cricketer Lance Klusener was the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team from 2019 to 2021. He played 49 Tests and 171 ODIs for South Africa as an all-rounder before moving into coaching. In 2019, he was appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach and served until 2021. Previously, he had also worked as a batting coach and in various coaching roles with international and domestic teams.
Umesh Patwal (2021-2022) :-
Another member of the Indian team, Umesh Patwal served as the head coach of the Nepal cricket team from 2021 to 2022. He had previously worked with Afghanistan as an assistant coach and also guided several domestic sides. In his Nepal stint, he focused on team development and improving the country’s performance in international competitions.
Jonathan Trott (2022-2025) :-
Legendary England cricketer Jonathan Trott became the head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team in 2022. He played 52 Tests, 68 ODIs, and 7 T20Is for England during his international career. From 2022 to 2025, he served as Afghanistan’s head coach, leading the team in major ICC tournaments, including the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Previously, he had worked with England and county teams in various coaching capacities before joining Afghanistan.
Most successful coaches in the history of Afghanistan cricket –
Rashid Latif (Pakistan) Known as the foundation builder of Afghanistan cricket , he coached Afghanistan around 2010 and introduced structured training. which helped Afghanistan gain international recognition and entry into ICC tournaments.
