Afghanistan Appoints John Mooney as Fielding Coach Ahead of Asia Cup

John Mooney, the former Ireland international, returns to the Afghanistan national team set-up after a gap of six years. On Wednesday (August 27), the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced that Mooney has been appointed as their national team's new fielding coach.

Mooney, who worked with Afghanistan from 2018 to 2019, was hired after the post went vacant following the departure of Shane McDermott. McDermott is currently guiding the Pakistan national cricket team as fielding coach.

Mooney has represented Ireland in 91 international matches, including three ICC Cricket World Cups in 2007, 2011, and 2015, as well as two ICC Men's T20 World Cups. He holds Level 3, 2, and 1 Coaching Certificates from the England & Wales Cricket Board.

Apart from working with Afghanistan, Mooney also worked with West Indies in 2019 as well as the Ireland women's team since January of this year.

The ACB have also roped in Australian Nirmalan Thanabalasingam as their new physiotherapist.

Thanabalasingam brings with him a solid educational and professional background in physiotherapy and sports science. He completed his Master of Physiotherapy in 2010, following a Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise and Sports Science in 2008, both from the University of Sydney. He is a registered practitioner with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and an active member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA).

Thanabalasingam has a strong interest in treating sports injuries and exercise-based rehabilitation. Since 2018, he has served as the Senior Physiotherapist at Concord Sports Medicine. On the international stage, he has also been the Team Physiotherapist for the Desert Vipers in the International League T20 (ILT20) since 2020.

Previously, from March 2017 to June 2018, Thanabalasingam worked as the High Performance Training & Rehabilitation Manager for Sri Lanka Cricket. His extensive experience in the highest levels of elite sport also includes roles with Cricket NSW, Rangpur Riders (BPL), Montreal Tigers (GT20 - Canada), ICC World XI, Sydney Thunder (BBL), and the West Harbour Rugby Union Club.

Afghanistan are currently undergoing a training and preparation camp in Abu Dhabi as they prepare for the tri-nation T20I series, which features Pakistan and hosts UAE, as well as the ACC Men's T20I Asia Cup 2025.