Mewada named Afghanistan’s new batting coach

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has appointed Milap Pradeep Kumar Mewada as the national team’s new batting coach.

ACB wrote on its Facebook page, the former Indian batter had already joined the Afghan Atalan training camp in Sri Lanka ahead of the three-match ODI Series against Pakistan.

The board said he had been offered a full-time contract after careful consideration of his recent stint with the Afghanistan squad during the recent Abu Dhabi Training Camp and the Bangladesh tour in July.

Mewada played for Baroda and West Zone teams from 1996 to 2005. He has taken 67 catches and made 12 stumps as a wicketkeeper in 11 First Class and 26 List-A matches in his career.

Mewada has served as the Head Coach of the Men's Senior State Teams for the Hyderabad Cricket Association, Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh, and Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association, respectively.

He has also been part of the coaching setups with the VVS Sporting Academy and the Baroda Cricket Association.

He has 32 years of combined playing and multi-dimensional coaching experience.

The national squad is currently undergoing a conditioning camp in Sri Lanka as they gear up for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to begin on August 22 in Hambantota.

Jonathan Trott has served as head coach of Afghanistan but ACB has yet to say whether or not he will continue with his job.

kk/mud