ACB appoints former Indian cricketer as interim assistant coach ahead of NZ and South Africa series

Former Indian first-class cricketer and ex-fielding coach of the India National Cricket Team, R Sridhar, has been appointed as the interim assistant coach of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) made this announcement on Thursday.

In an official statement, the ACB confirmed that Sridhar will join the Afghan team for the upcoming one-off Test match against New Zealand and the three-match ODI series against South Africa. The ACB expressed their hope for a long-term partnership with Sridhar following this interim role.

"It is worth mentioning that the Afghanistan Cricket Board has appointed Sridhar as the assistant coach for the one-off Test against New Zealand and the 3-match ODI series against South Africa. The Afghanistan Cricket Board wish Sridhar fills the role effectively and hope to have long term contract with him in the future," Afghanistan Cricket Board stated in a media release.

"Sridhar is Level-3 certified coach who has served Indian U19 national team as Assistant Coach and Spin Bowling Coach too. From 2008 to 2014, Sridhar served India’s National Cricket Academy as an assistant fielding and spin bowling coach," ACB said. "He has been India’s national team Fielding Coach in more than 300 international matches including two ICC ODI and two T20I world cups," ACB further added.

In his playing career, Sridhar represented the Hyderabad Cricket Team from 1989/90 to 2000/01. He appeared in 35 first-class matches, amassing 574 runs and claiming 91 wickets. Additionally, he played 15 List-A matches, scoring 69 runs and taking 14 wickets.

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand is scheduled to be held in Greater Noida, starting September 9. Following this, Afghanistan will travel to Sharjah for the three ODIs against South Africa on September 18, 20, and 22.