Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener has been appointed the head coach of Afghanistan, after the tenure of the previous coach Phil Simmons ended in recent time. The Afghanistan Cricket Board had invited applications for the role of the head coach and received over 50 of them which included Klusener. His first assignment will be against West Indies series in November.

While speaking about Klusener’s appointment, ACB CEO Lutfullah Stanikzai 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.”

Stanikzai also added that Klusener’s inclusion in the team would also help, keeping in mind the 2020 T20 World Cup. Klusener also said he was “excited and honoured” for the opportunity to guide Afghanistan.

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“I am extremely excited and honored to be given the opportunity to work with some of the best talent in world cricket,” he said. “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.”

After retiring from international cricket, Lance Klusener has been associated as a coach with many teams. He coached the Dolphins franchise in South African domestic cricket and assuming the roles of the bowling coach of Mumbai Indians in IPL, batting coach for the South African Test team, batting coach of Zimbabwe and most recently, the batting coach of the South African T20 team.