The Afghanistan Cricket Board on Wednesday appointed John Mooney as the team's new fielding coach. He will replace Shane McDermott. Mooney was part of the Afghanistan coaching staff in 2018/19.

Former Ireland international John Mooney is making a comeback to the Afghanistan national team after a gap of six years. The Afghanistan Cricket Board on Wednesday announced that Mooney has been appointed as the new fielding coach of their national team. Mooney worked with Afghanistan from 2018 to 2019 and was now appointed when the position fell vacant after the departure of Shane McDermott. McDermott is currently guiding the Pakistan national cricket team as its fielding coach.

Mooney has represented Ireland in 91 international matches, including three ICC Cricket World Cups in 2007, 2011 and 2015 and two ICC Men's T20 World Cups. He holds Level 3, 2 and 1 coaching certificates from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Apart from working with Afghanistan, Mooney has also worked with the West Indies in 2019 and with the Ireland women's team since January this year. The ACB has also appointed Nirmal Thanabalasingam from Australia as their new physiotherapist.

Thanabalasingam brings a strong academic and professional background in physiotherapy and sports science. He completed a Masters in Physiotherapy in 2010, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Sydney in 2008. He is a registered therapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and an active member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

Afghanistan are currently participating in a training and preparation camp in Abu Dhabi, where they are preparing for the Tri-series T20I series involving Pakistan and hosts UAE, as well as the Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025.