Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener was appointed the head coach of the Afghanistan team, the country's cricket board announced on Friday. He will replace Phil Simmons, whose tenure ended after the World Cup this year.
Klusener's contract is, reportedly, till the end of 2020, with the possibility of extension based on the results.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said it received more than 50 applications, from which they chose Klusener.
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Considered to be one of the best all-rounders, Klusener played 49 Tests and 171 ODIs for South Africa between 1996 and 2004. He scored 1,906 runs and 80 wickets in Tests, and 3,576 runs and 192 wickets in ODIs.
He was Zimbabwe's batting coach in 2016, and has served as a bowling coach with IPL team Mumbai Indians. He was roped in as South Africa's assistant batting coach during the T20I leg of the recent India tour.
"I'm extremely excited and honoured to be given the opportunity," Klusener said in a statement. "Everyone knows the fearless brand of cricket Afghanistan play.
"I'm very confident that with some hard work we can become one of the best sides in the world. I'm really looking forward to working with the Afghanistan team and helping them take their cricket to the next level."
Klusener's first assignment will be the series—comprising one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is—against the West Indies in India, in November.