PCB chief gives update on coaching staff search as Azhar Mahmood joins the race

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is leaning towards employing local coaches for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. 

Former cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq will join the coaching staff for this series.

The PCB is close to finalizing former South African batter Gary Kirsten as the white-ball head coach and ex-Australian pacer Jason Gillespie as the red-ball head coach for the national men’s team.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi mentioned that the availability of foreign coaches for the New Zealand series depends on finalizing their appointments before the series begins. 

“It depends on if we are able to finalize their (foreign coaches) appointment before the series,” Naqvi said.

Meanwhile, former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is a strong candidate for the assistant coach position for the Pakistan men’s national team. 

Mahmood, who currently serves as the bowling coach for Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Islamabad United, has emerged as a frontrunner. The PCB recently advertised the assistant coach role, which will provide support to both the red-ball and white-ball coaches.

The New Zealand team is set to arrive in Pakistan on April 14th for the five-match T20 series commencing on April 18th, with three matches scheduled in Pindi and the remaining two in Lahore.