Former Australian great Dean Jones named interim Afghanistan coach

The 2017 season of the Shpageeza Cricket League organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) held in September has proven to be very fruitful for the country’s cricket. 

The ACB spotted fresh talent and the board is now keen to take things further. Now they have roped in former Australia star batsman and cricket commentator Dean Jones to coach the Afghanistan team for their upcoming tour of Hong Kong, officials said on Tuesday.

Jones had visited Kabul last month to commentate for the Shpageeza Twenty20 tournament. Jones will take charge for Afghanistan's four-day Intercontinental Cup game to be held from October 20 to 23 and could become a permanent fixture, the Afghan Cricket Board said.

@ACBofficials I am pleased to announce that I will be Afghanistan interim Head Coach for their Tour to Hong Kong #shouldbefun

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) October 9, 2017

"(The) Afghanistan Cricket Board has appointed Dean Jones, a prominent former Australian cricketer and commentator, as its head coach for the four-day Intercontinental games in Hong Kong," it said in a statement.

"Both parties will consider a long-term agreement after the games," it added.

Jones said in a Twitter message that he was happy to lead Afghanistan's cricket team in Hong Kong.

"I am pleased to announce that I will be Afghanistan interim Head Coach for their Tour to Hong Kong #shouldbefun," he said.