The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced that former fast bowler Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The five-match T20I series will begin on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and conclude on April 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “Azar represented Pakistan in 164 international matches, taking 162 wickets and scoring 2,421 runs,” PCB said in an official statement.

Azhar’s previous stint with the Pakistan men’s cricket team was between 2016 and 2019, when he served as bowling coach.

Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz has been appointed as senior team manager and Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach. Saeed Ajmal, who was the bowling coach during the last tour of Australia and New Zealand, will continue as spin bowling coach.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently in Kakul to participate in a fitness camp organized by Pakistan Army coaches. Skipper Babar Azam and Pakistan’s chief selectors are in talks to finalize the list of players for the five-match T20I series.

The Pakistan team has undergone huge changes since their disastrous defeat in the ODI World Cup in India last year.

On the other hand, the Pakistan cricket team roster for the New Zealand series will be announced on Tuesday. Last month, star batsman Babar Azam was reappointed as their white-ball captain, just months away from the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Babar relinquished his leadership role after India finished sixth at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup last year.

Shaheen Shah Afridi took over as Pakistan T20I captain while Shan Masood was appointed as the red team captain.

New Zealand T20Is Pakistan team player protection staff:

Wahab Riaz (Senior Team Manager), Mansoor Rana (Team Manager), Azhar Mahmood (Head Coach), Mohammad Yousuf (Batting Coach), Saeed Ajmal (Spin Bowling Coach), Aftab Khan (Field Coach), Cliffe Deacon (Physiotherapy coach), Drikus Saiman (Strength and Strength Coach), Talha Butt (Analyst), Irtiza Komail (Security Manager), Raza Kitchlew (Media and Digital Manager), Zain Maqsood (Cameraman), Dr. Khurram Sarwar (Doctor) and Mohammad Imran ( Masseur).

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