New head coach as Pakistan make team management shuffles for New Zealand series
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced several coaching changes ahead of the upcoming home T20I series against New Zealand, in preparation for T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.
Former international all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been unveiled as the new head coach, and will be joined by Mohammad Yousuf and Saeed Ajmal as batting and spin-bowling coach respectively. Wahab Riaz, who was the chief selector, is now senior team manager.
Mahmood made his international debut in 1996 and retired in 2007. In 143 ODIs and 21 Tests, he made over 2000 runs and claimed 162 wickets across the two formats. Mahmood has also worked in a coaching capacity for Pakistan, working as the bowling coach from 2016 to 2019.
The first assignment for the group will the five match T20I series with New Zealand beginning on April 18. The teams meet in Rawalpindi for the first three matches of the series, before traveling to Lahore for matches four and five.
Pakistan will announce the playing squad for the series on Tuesday afternoon (9 April) local time.
Mohammad Rizwan powered Pakistan to the final with a brilliant 43-ball 57 against New Zealand in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final.