A Familiar Face Returns
Afghanistan have decided to bring back a familiar name to their coaching staff — John Mooney, the former Ireland all-rounder. Mooney has been appointed as the team’s fielding coach ahead of a busy few weeks that include a T20 tri-series and the Asia Cup.
For those who follow Afghan cricket closely, his return won’t come as a surprise. He previously worked with the side between 2018 and 2019, a period when Afghanistan made their Test debut.
Why John Mooney?
Mooney isn’t just a coach with a certificate — he comes with a strong background in both playing and coaching. As a cricketer, he represented Ireland in 64 ODIs and 27 T20Is, even featuring in multiple World Cups. He’s remembered for finishing Ireland’s shock 2011 World Cup win over England, powered by Kevin O’Brien’s brilliant century.
Since retiring, Mooney has built a solid coaching career. He’s coached in the West Indies setup and even helped out with the Ireland women’s team. With that mix of experience, Afghanistan clearly trust him to sharpen their fielding standards.
Timing Couldn’t Be Better
The move comes just as Afghanistan prepare for a T20 tri-series against UAE and Pakistan starting on August 29, followed by the Asia Cup on September 9. Fielding has often been a weak spot for the team, so bringing back someone who already knows the players and culture could be a smart call.
He won’t be working alone either. Afghanistan have also added Nirmalan Thanabalasingam as their new physiotherapist, further boosting their support staff.
What It Means for Afghanistan
Afghanistan have made big strides in international cricket over the last decade. Their batting is improving, their bowling — led by Rashid Khan — is world-class, but their fielding has sometimes let them down.
Final Thoughts
This feels like a smart, timely move from Afghanistan Cricket. Mooney knows the environment, the players respect him, and his experience could be exactly what they need before two big tournaments.
