Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott has candidly shared the challenges and triumphs of bridging the language gap with his team. Despite the barrier, the former England Test cricketer has diligently learned a few Pashto words and phrases to facilitate smoother communication.
Trott, who took over as Afghanistan’s head coach in July 2022, has already made a significant impact. Under his leadership, Afghanistan delivered a remarkable performance in the 2023 World Cup, securing victories against England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. They have also maintained an unbeaten streak in the 2024 T20 World Cup so far.
In a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo, Trott revealed the complexities of team meetings due to the language differences. “I’ve learned a few words and phrases [of Pashto] but I get stuff translated. Team meetings take a little bit longer, but it’s something I’ve learned as well: that art of communication.”
Trott emphasized his focus on keeping the players’ minds on cricket, especially amidst the political upheavals in Afghanistan. “I try not to get involved in that side of things and to keep it away from the players. Everyone’s got their own ideas, but I keep everything about cricket.”
He reflected on the resilience of the players, acknowledging the hardships they’ve endured. “You speak to a lot of the guys about growing up and they don’t need to be reminded of things. There are some stories which make me feel very lucky with the upbringing I had and the opportunities I was afforded… It’s truly mind-blowing,” Trott added.
The political landscape under Taliban rule has led to Cricket Australia and the England Cricket Board (ECB) refusing bilateral series with Afghanistan due to restrictions on women’s rights. Despite these challenges, Trott remains optimistic about the team’s progress.
“Hopefully, we are starting to see what we can achieve,” Trott stated, while acknowledging areas for improvement, particularly in batting. “We’re blessed, and maybe ahead of the curve in some ways. But there are some areas of our batting that we may need to work on.”
Playing top-tier teams infrequently may seem a disadvantage, but Trott views it as an opportunity. “When you play against the same opposition all the time, you can line them up a bit. They’ve played against some of our guys in franchise cricket, but as a collective group, it’s a different story.”
As Afghanistan gears up to face Papua New Guinea in their next T20 World Cup 2024 match on Friday, June 14, Trott’s dedication to his players and the game continues to drive the team towards excellence, overcoming both language barriers and political challenges.
