Afghanistan appoint Richard Pybus as new head coach

Richard Pybus has been appointed Afghanistan's new head coach post the team's group stage exit at the ongoing T20 World Cup. The Englishman takes over from Jonathan Trott, who was at the helm of the Afghanistan team for four years.

Pybus boasts of a wealthy coaching CV, having overseen Pakistan's run into the final of the 1999 World Cup. He was also the director of cricket of West Indies during which the men's, women's and U19 teams tasted World Cup glory in 2016.

Pybus continued to have a long association with West Indian cricket. He first served as the high performance director in 2018, following which he was appointed interim head coach the following year. He also had a short, but controversial stint as head coach of Bangladesh in 2012.

Pybus' first assignment with Afghanistan will be presiding over the team's white-ball series against Sri Lanka in the UAE. The first T20I is scheduled to be played in Sharjah on March 13.