Azhar Mahmood named Pakistan's head coach for T20I series vs New Zealand; Check rest of coaching staff

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday appointed Azhar Mahmood as Pakistan's head coach for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

Apart from him, Wahab Riaz has been named senior team manager, with Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach and Saeed Ajmal as spin coach.

Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood had emerged as a strong contender for the role of assistant coach of the men’s national team but was named as the head coach.

Mahmood is currently the bowling coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Islamabad United. He had also served in the same role for the national side in the past.

Pakistan's previous coaching staff, which included Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Andrew Puttick, who were transferred to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, left their respective positions in January this year after a change in their portfolios in November 2023.

In April 2023, Arthur was named Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team while Bradburn was roped in as head coach. Former South Africa cricketer Puttick worked as batting coach since April 2023.