Former Windies all-rounder Phil Simmons has been named as Afghanistan's new head coach after Lalchand Rajput had left the position vacant, having served only three months. Simmons, who has previously coached Ireland and Windies, had also interviewed for the position of Bangladesh head coach after Chandika Hathurusingha left midway through his tenure that originally ran until the 2019 World Cup.
The 54-year-old, after his retirement in 2002, cut his teeth in coaching with a job at Zimbabwe. However, difficult times during which the team slipped to newer lows, saw him removed from that position. Simmons, though, redeemed himself through a successful coaching stint with Ireland, having taken over at the conclusion of the 2007 World Cup. Having coached in 224 matches, Simmons became the longest serving coach in international cricket.