Azhar Mahmood appointed as head coach for Pakistan men’s cricket team for T20I series against New Zealand

Former Pakistan fast bowler Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as the head coach for the Pakistan men’s cricket team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The series is set to kick off on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and conclude on April 27 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

With an impressive record of 162 wickets and 2,421 runs in 164 international matches, Azhar Mahmood brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan men’s cricket team from 2016 to 2019.

Joining Mahmood in the coaching staff are Wahab Riaz as the senior team manager, Mohammad Yousuf as the batting coach, and Saeed Ajmal as the spin bowling coach. The team is currently undergoing a fitness camp led by trainers from the Pakistan Army in Kakul, with skipper Babar Azam and selectors working on finalizing the squad for the series.

Following a disappointing ODI World Cup campaign in India last year, the Pakistan team has been making significant changes. Star batter Babar Azam was recently reappointed as the white-ball captain, just months before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Babar had stepped down from his leadership role after Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where they finished in sixth place. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named as the T20I captain, while Shan Masood will lead the team in red-ball cricket.

The Pakistan cricket team for the New Zealand series will be announced on Tuesday, as fans eagerly anticipate the team’s performance under the guidance of Azhar Mahmood and the new coaching staff.