Change of national coach a new opportunity: ACB

KABUL Cricket Board (ACB) on Thursday announced the appointment of Andy Moles as its new national coach.

A statement from the ACB said that Moles would an important role in preparations for Afghanistan’s participation in the World Cup 2015.

The appointment followed the resignation earlier this week of Kabir Khan, Afghanistan’s long-serving national coach. Khan told media the position was putting too much strain on his family.              

Moles said: “I am very excited as I take on the role of national coach for Afghanistan. “The ACB has a very talented bunch of players and I am looking forward to the challenges of working with them to help them reach the pinnacle of their performance as individuals and as a team.”

Moles is a former English first-class cricketer for Warwickshire, England and Griqualand West, South Africa. Since his retirement as a player, his international coaching career has included positions with Kenya (2003), Scotland (2005), and New Zealand (2008).

“Some media outlets have described Kabir Khan’s resignation as a setback and a major blow for Afghanistan cricket,” Dr Noor Mohammad Murad, CEO of the ACB, said when announcing Mole’s appointment.  “We do not see it this way. We see it as a new opportunity for further development both of the National Team and our national cricket generally.”

“Whilst Kabir shared his particular skills with our players over a long period, Andy Moles, brings different and needed skills and approaches to the position. He comes to us at this important time with a wealth of experience in international cricket both as player and coach. This will enrich and broaden the development of our national team,” Murad added.

Moles was a gritty and determined, right-handed opening batsman. He played from 1986 until his retirement in 1997 for Warwickshire, where he scored 13,316 runs at an average of 38.59. During the late 1980s, he also played domestic cricket in South Africa for Griqualand West and in three seasons managed 1,989 runs at 64.16.

Moles will arrive in Kabul this week to take up the national coaching position.

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