Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener has been appointed as Afghanistan’s new head coach, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Friday.

Klusener replaces Phil Simmons whose 18-month tenure ended following the conclusion of the 2019 ICC men’s Cricket World Cup in July. Afghanistan finished bottom of the 10-team table having lost all of its nine games.

Klusener’s first assignment will be the series against the West Indies in November.

His main task will be overseeing the national team’s preparations for the Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

Klusener said he was excited and honoured to be given an opportunity to work with some of the best talents in the world.

“Everyone knows the fearless brand of cricket Afghanistan play. I am very confident that with some hard work we can become one of the best sides in the world. I am really looking forward to working with the Afghanistan team and helping them take their cricket to the next level,” Klusener said.

“Lance Klusener is a renowned name in the cricketing world. It will be great to see our players benefit from his vast experience both as a player and a coach,” ACB CEO Lutfullah Stanikzai said.

The South African has previously worked as batting coach of Zimbabwe and South Africa. He was also head coach of South African side Dolphins and the bowling coach of Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians.

Klusener, a Level 4 certified coach, got into coaching after retiring as a player having appeared for South Africa in 417 international games between 1996 and 2004.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board said that it had received more than 50 applications from candidates for the position.

Source(s): ICC, Afghanistan Cricket Board