The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the appointment of Toby Radford as the national team’s Batting Coach and Robert Ahmun as the new Strength & Conditioning Trainer. Both appointments come ahead of Afghanistan’s upcoming three-match T20I series against the West Indies in Dubai, scheduled for January 19, 21, and 22.
Toby Radford brings global coaching pedigree
Toby Radford, a Welsh cricket coach and former first-class cricketer, brings decades of elite coaching experience to the Afghan national side. A certified ECB Level 4 coach, Radford is currently serving as Head Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League 2026.
His resume includes stints as:
- Batting Coach, Pakistan Cricket Board High Performance Centre (2022–2024)
- Head of High Performance, Bangladesh Cricket Board (2020–2022)
- Batting Coach during West Indies’ 2012 T20 World Cup win
- Assistant during West Indies’ historic Test series win over England in 2019
- Head Coach roles at Middlesex (T20 champions, 2008) and Glamorgan
In addition to his field roles, Radford is an ECB Coach Mentor and author of the bestselling cricket coaching book Getting to Grips.
Robert Ahmun joins as elite S&C Trainer
Robert Ahmun, a Cardiff-based Strength & Conditioning (S&C) expert, has also been added to the national team’s support staff. Ahmun most recently served as Head of Performance Science and Medicine at the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), overseeing physical preparation and medical services for England’s national squads.
Key roles in Ahmun’s career include:
- ECB National Lead for Strength and Conditioning (2017–2022)
- Performance coach in the England Pathways program
- Published researcher on workload, injury risk, and player performance
His academic background includes an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Wales, Cardiff (2003), and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Exeter (1998).
ACB continues staff recruitment ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
While the batting and fitness roles are now filled, the ACB has confirmed that recruitment is ongoing for two key positions: Head Coach and Spin Bowling Coach.
The new coaching staff will be integrated as AfghanAtalan prepare to face the West Indies in a T20I series later this month in Dubai. Following the series, Afghanistan will gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
