Afghanistan cricket has made a significant move ahead of the two major tournaments by bringing back former Ireland all-rounder John Mooney as their fielding coach. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed the appointment, which comes as the team prepares for the T20I tri-series in the UAE starting August 29 and the Men’s T20 Asia Cup scheduled from September 9. Alongside Mooney, Nirmalan Thanabalasingam has joined the setup as the new physiotherapist.
Mooney is not new to Afghanistan cricket. He previously served as the team’s fielding coach from 2018 to 2019, during which Afghanistan made their historic Test debut in India. The 43-year-old has also worked with other International teams, including the West Indies men’s squad in 2019, and more recently with the Ireland women’s team in 2025. His coaching experience is backed by certification from the England Cricket Board, where he completed Level 1, 2, and 3 coaching programs.
Mooney’s playing and coaching Career
During his playing days, Mooney was known as a reliable left-hand batter and right-arm medium pacer. He represented Ireland in 64 ODIs and 27 T20Is between 2006 and 2015. His career highlights include featuring in three ODI World Cups(2007, 2011, and 2015) and two T20 World Cups (2009 and 2010). One of his most memorable moments came in 2011, when he hit the winning runs against England in Bengaluru to seal Ireland’s famous World Cup victory.
After retiring from international cricket in 2015, Mooney transitioned into coaching. His return to Afghanistan’s setup adds valuable experience at a crucial time, as the team builds momentum for the upcoming tournaments. Meanwhile, Nirmalan Thanabalasingam’s appointment strengthens the backroom staff. Thanabalasingam brings years of expertise, having worked with the Desert Vipers in the ILT20 since 2020. He has also previously held roles with Sri Lanka Cricket, Cricket New South Wales, and Franchises in leagues like the BPL and GT20 Canada.
Afghanistan’s training camp is currently underway in Abu Dhabi, where Mooney and Thanabalasingam have already joined the squad. With these additions, the Afghanistan team is looking to refine its preparation ahead of a busy cricket calendar.
