Afghanistan appoint HD Ackerman as batting coach

The 46-year-old, who played county cricket for Leicestershire, joins compatriot Lance Klusener, who has taken over from Phil Simmons as the national side’s head coach

Former South Africa batsman HD Ackerman has been named as Afghanistan’s new batting coach.

The 46-year-old, who played county cricket for Leicestershire, joins compatriot Lance Klusener, who has taken over from Phil Simmons as the national side’s head coach.

Ackerman, who played four Tests during his own playing career and made 14,625 first-class runs, will begin his tenure when Afghanistan face Ireland in a three-match series in March. He replaces former Afghan captain Nawroz Mangal in the role.

Afghanistan, who went winless in the 2019 World Cup, most recently faced West Indies across all three formats. Despite winning a T20I series, they were whitewashed in three ODIs and comprehensively beaten in a single Test in Lucknow.

Ackerman will be charged with working with the country’s batsmen ahead of the T20 World Cup, where they have been drawn alongside India, England and South Africa. His contract is set to run until the end of 2020.

Two further sides will join them in the Super 12 stage, with eight side participating in an initial group stage.