Simmons, an all-rounder who scored 1,002 runs in 26 Test matches, will officially start his new role on Monday (January 8).

The 54-year-old Trinidadian succeeds former Indian batsman Lalchand Rajput, who did not have his contract renewed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in August.

Simmons will join the Afghanistan squad in Dubai prior to the limited-overs series against Zimbabwe in Sharjah next month.

He had previously served as a coach with the West Indian and Ireland teams.

Simmons was sacked as the head coach of the West Indies side in September 2016, six months after guiding the team to the World Twenty20 title.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, Simmons was one of three candidates for the position with the Afghanistan team.

“We went with Phil because he understand our team," Shafiq Stanikzai, the ACB chief executive officer, said.

"He has coached West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland - all these are teams Afghanistan will play in the World Cup Qualifiers.

“He is a good prospect.”

Simmons’ main task will be in the limited overs format as the country, awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year, bids to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.

The qualifier for the tournament is due to be held in Zimbabwe in March.

Afghanistan are also set to play their inaugural Test against India later this year, with dates for the historic contest yet to be confirmed.

Simmons will be able to play wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad, who is free to return from a one-year drugs ban this month.

Shahzad, who tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol during an out-of-competition test in January, was facing a suspension of up to four years.

The ICC ruled, however, that the 29-year-old had unintentionally ingested the prohibited substance after a weight-loss drug he was taking was contaminated with clenbuterol.