Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has joined the England coaching staff for the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan, starting on Friday, August 28 at Emirates Old Trafford.

While talking to inews.co.uk, the former Pakistan bowling coach is looking to pass on some key insights about the Pakistan team to England players.

 “Some Pakistan fans are already calling me a traitor for accepting the England role,” said Mahmood. “Of course, I have inside information on the Pakistan dressing room and the players ahead of the T20I series, but the reality is that these days technical information on players is readily available via the analysts.

“But, yes, I’ll be providing the England team with some information on Pakistan which hopefully will be of use to them and provide them with insight,” he added.

ALSO READ: Eoin Morgan wary of ‘dangerous’ Pakistan ahead of T20I series

Mahmood is looking forward to his first assignment with the England team and believes that Men in Green will present a tough challenge to the hosts.

“It should be a close and hard-fought series. I think both teams are evenly matched, and have some very exciting players. There are no obvious weaknesses in either squad and Pakistan have some very experienced twenty over players such as Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez, so they have all the bases covered,” he said.

“But England’s players will be fresh as they haven’t been involved in the Test series, so they’ll be eager to perform,” he added.