Pakistan’s cricket board appointed Azhar Mahmood as the head coach for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
In a major announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the head coach for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Interestingly, Mahmood is taking the helm for this series only but brings a lot of experience to the role. He previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach from 2016 to 2019 and has also held coaching positions with various PSL franchises. As a player, Mahmood represented Pakistan in 164 matches, contributing significantly with both bat and ball (162 wickets, 2,421 runs).
The 49-year-old’s appointment came amidst the national team’s continuous search for a permanent head coach. Australian legend Shane Watson was briefly considered, but the PCB has opted for Mahmood for this upcoming series. The team has been without a full-time coach since Grant Bradburn’s departure, along with Micky Arthur, who previously held the position of Director of Cricket.
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Joining Mahmood on the coaching staff for the New Zealand series are Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), and Saeed Ajmal (spin bowling coach).
Notably, the announcement of the coaching staff preceded the squad announcement for the series, which is scheduled for April 9th, at the Gaddafi Stadium. The T20I series against New Zealand will begin on April 18th, and significantly, this series can be seen as a crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Last Updated on April 9, 2024
