Hamid Hassan named Afghanistan bowling coach

Afghanistan have appointed Hamid Hassan as their new bowling coach, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced in a media release. Hassan will take charge of the side ahead of the T20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan, which will be played in Sharjah later this month 

Hassan has played 38 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 25 T20 T20Is for Afghanistan between 2009 and 2021 will take charge of the side has picked up a combined 94 wickets across both formats. Hassan also played a significant role in Afghanistan winning the Intercontinental Cup in their debut season in 2010, picking up 45 wickets in six matches. He has also played two ODI World Cups (2015 & 2019) and represented his nation in the 2010, 2016 and 2021 editions of the T20 World Cup.

Overall, he has picked up 69 wickets at 22.88 in 15 first-class matches, including six five-wicket hauls and best match figures of 11 for 154.

"Cricket has been my life over the past two-three decades and is in fact something that has been my passion for my whole life. It's a difficult decision for me to retire from the game I love the most, but I'm doing this for the sake of my country and my team," Hamid Hassan said.

"At the same time, I'm honored and pleased to have the opportunity to take the role of the bowling coach of our National Team. I have enjoyed every bit of my playing career with this team, and the opportunity to work with our young bowling group is something I am looking forward to. I've been watching our fast bowling group closely and am excited to work with them to make this group as strong as or even stronger than our spinning department," he added.

Afghanistan most recently played a T20I series against UAE in Abu Dhabi. They have already qualified for the upcoming 2023 World Cup in India, having secured enough points in the ODI Super League. They were due to tour Zimbabwe for an ODI series, which would have been part of the Super League, but that was postponed as the hosts failed to secure the required broadcast rights. 

Australia were due to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan following their India tour, but pulled out following further restrictions put in place by the Taliban government that announced further curbs on women's freedom in the country.