Pakistan Announces New Head Coach and Team Management Changes for Upcoming New Zealand Series

Former international all-rounder, Azhar Mahmood, has been officially announced as the new head coach of the Pakistan cricket team. He will be accompanied by Mohammad Yousuf and Saeed Ajmal, who will serve as the batting and spin-bowling coaches respectively. Meanwhile, the former chief selector, Wahab Riaz, has been appointed as the senior team manager.

Mahmood, who made his international debut in 1996 and retired in 2007, has an impressive record with over 2000 runs and 162 wickets across 143 ODIs and 21 Tests. He has previously served as the bowling coach for Pakistan from 2016 to 2019.

The first challenge for the newly formed team management will be the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting on April 18. The first three matches will be held in Rawalpindi, followed by the last two in Lahore.

The playing squad for the series will be announced by Pakistan on the afternoon of Tuesday, 9 April, local time.

Mohammad Rizwan played a crucial role in leading Pakistan to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final against New Zealand, with a remarkable 57 runs off 43 balls.