Avishka appointed Afghanistan batting coach

By Bipin Dani

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has hired the services of former Sri Lanka batsman Avishka Gunawardene as their batting coach. This was confirmed by the ACB CEO Dr. Hamid Shinwari.

“At present, we have hired him only for the upcoming series against Pakistan,” Dr. Shinwari said. However, the contract may be extended depending upon his performance.

This will be Gunawardena’s first big assignment after he was recently cleared of ICC corruption charges.
The ACB was also in contact with Hashan Tillakaratne for the role.

However, Tillakaratne, who has been the national women’s team coach, was not interested in the short-term job, it is learnt. 

Despite the unrest in Afghanistan, the board insisted the series, to be played in Sri Lanka, would go ahead as planned.

“We are planning to send our players at the earliest. As soon as the airports resume, our team will land in Sri Lanka.”

“We are planning to have the three-match ODI series to begin on September 3. Our local domestic T-20 Shpageeza tournament will take place next month,” he also said.