Afghanistan’s coaching staff has been strengthened ahead of a demanding international calendar with the appointment of former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Shane McDermott as assistant and fielding coach.
Days before Afghanistan’s five-match ODI series against Ireland starts, on August 1, the 45-year-old will formally join the team. McDermott will collaborate with head coach Richard Pybus, who succeeded Jonathan Trott earlier this year.
Over the years, McDermott has developed a remarkable coaching resume, especially in the fielding area.
Prior to spending three more years in a similar capacity with Sri Lanka, he was Bangladesh’s assistant fielding coach for three years.
His most recent duty was with Pakistan, where from July 2025 to July 2026 he served as the all-format fielding coach for the national squad. He unexpectedly left the Pakistan setup earlier this year, but he is now taking on a new challenge with Afghanistan.
Rahmat Shah is expected to skipper the ODI team for the first time during Afghanistan’s tour to Ireland, which will also usher in a new era for the team.
The first two ODIs of the five-match series will take place in Bready on August 5 and 7. The final three games are scheduled for August 10, 12, and 15 in Belfast.
India is expected to visit Afghanistan in Delhi.
Afghanistan is scheduled to face India in a three-match Twenty20 International series in September after the Ireland series.
Although the dates have not yet been officially confirmed, speculations suggest that the games would take place on September 13, 15, and 17 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Since Afghanistan would host India on Indian soil for the first time, the series is anticipated to make history. Afghanistan has held home games at Greater Noida, Dehradun, and Lucknow in the past, but they have never hosted India at one of these locations.
