With the Asia Cup 2025 just around the corner, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has strengthened its support staff by bringing in experienced professionals. Former Ireland all-rounder John Mooney has been appointed as the fielding coach, while Nirmalan Thanabalasingam takes over as the team’s physiotherapist. The duo has already joined the squad during its training and preparation camp in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan is currently gearing up for two major assignments: the T20I tri-series involving the UAE and Pakistan, starting August 29, and the Asia Cup, which begins September 9 in the UAE.
SECOND STINT FOR MOONEY IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY
This marks Mooney’s second tenure with Afghanistan, having previously served as the team’s fielding coach from 2018 to 2019 a pivotal period that included Afghanistan’s Test debut in India. His return to the setup brings valuable continuity and experience, especially in the fielding department.
Since stepping into coaching, the 43-year-old has been associated with multiple international teams. He worked with the West Indies men's team, and earlier in 2025, took on a temporary coaching role with the Ireland women’s team.
As a player, Mooney had a decorated career for Ireland. Between 2006 and 2015, he featured in 64 ODIs and 27 T20Is, representing Ireland in three ODI World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015) and two T20 World Cups (2009, 2010). One of his most iconic moments came during the 2011 World Cup in Bengaluru, where he struck the winning runs in Ireland’s stunning victory over England a moment still celebrated in Irish cricket history.
Post-retirement in 2015, Mooney earned Level 1, 2, and 3 coaching certifications from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), establishing himself as a qualified and sought-after coach in international cricket.
NIRMALAN BRINGS GLOBAL PHYSIO EXPERIENCE TO AFGHAN CAMP
Alongside Mooney, Afghanistan have recruited Nirmalan Thanabalasingam as the team’s new physiotherapist another key backroom addition ahead of a packed tournament schedule.
Nirmalan has been involved with the Desert Vipers franchise in the ILT20 since 2020 and brings with him a wealth of experience in injury management and athlete rehabilitation. From March 2017 to June 2018, he served as the High-Performance Training and Rehabilitation Manager for Sri Lanka Cricket.
His diverse résumé also includes stints with several top cricketing and sporting teams, including Cricket New South Wales, Rangpur Riders (BPL), Montreal Tigers (GT20 Canada), Sydney Thunder (BBL), West Harbour Rugby Union Club, and even the ICC World XI.
AFGHANISTAN FINALISING PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF BUSY SCHEDULE
Currently, the Afghan team is undergoing an intensive training camp in Abu Dhabi, focusing on conditioning and match readiness for their upcoming assignments — the UAE-Pakistan tri-series and the Asia Cup.
AFGHANISTAN SQUAD FOR ASIA CUP 2025
Captain: Rashid Khan
Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal
All-Rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf
Wicketkeeper-Batter: Mohammad Ishaq
Spinners: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Allah Ghazanfar
Pacers: Naveen-ul-Haq, Farid Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi
With experienced backroom additions and a well-balanced squad, Afghanistan looks to make a serious mark in the upcoming tournaments.
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