The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the appointment of former fast bowler Azhar Mahmood as the head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team for the forthcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. This pivotal series is slated to commence on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and will wrap up on April 27 at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.

Azhar Mahmood, renowned for his significant contributions to Pakistani cricket both as a player and a coach, brings a wealth of experience to the table. During his illustrious international career, he represented Pakistan in 164 matches across all formats, bagging 162 wickets and amassing 2,421 runs. Azhar is no stranger to coaching roles within the Pakistan cricket setup, having previously served as the team’s bowling coach from 2016 to 2019.

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In addition to Mahmood’s appointment, PCB has also named Wahab Riaz as the senior team manager and Mohammad Yousuf as the batting coach for the series. Saeed Ajmal will continue to impart his expertise as the spin bowling coach, a role he held during Pakistan’s recent tours of Australia and New Zealand.

The announcement comes at a time when the Pakistan men’s cricket team is actively participating in a fitness camp in Kakul, conducted by trainers from the Pakistan Army. The team, under the leadership of skipper Babar Azam, is in the process of finalizing the squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, with consultations ongoing between Azam and Pakistan’s chief selectors.

The PCB’s decision to appoint Azhar Mahmood as head coach is part of a broader strategy to revitalize the national team following a disappointing ODI World Cup campaign in India last year. The team has seen significant changes in its structure and leadership, with Babar Azam being reappointed as the white-ball captain ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This move came after Azam stepped down from his leadership role following Pakistan’s underwhelming performance at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where the team finished sixth.

With Shaheen Shah Afridi assuming the role of T20I captain and Shan Masood taking charge of the red-ball team, Pakistan cricket is in a phase of transition, aiming for resurgence and success in the international arena. The upcoming series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for Azhar Mahmood and his team as they seek to lay down a marker ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

Pakistan team player support personnel for New Zealand T20Is: