Will Azhar Mahmood be part of England support staff for Test series in Pakistan?

England men's cricket team is on the tour of Pakistan for the seven-match T20I series, starting from September 20 in Karachi.

After the T20 World Cup, the Test side, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, will travel to Pakistan for three-match Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship.

England's style of play completely changed this former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum became head coach of the Test side, winning six games out of seven at home.

Meanwhile, there are a lot of contenders to fill the place of temporary bowling coach for the Test series in Pakistan as Jon Lewis is set to return to the ECB's pathways system.

As per Daily Mail, Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson, and Hampshire bowling coach Graeme Welch may temporarily return to a position they have previously filled.   

On the other hand, ECB might consider former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who has specialist knowledge of the conditions.

Azhar has been Pakistan's bowling coach since 2019 and has also worked with the England T20 side as an assistant bowling coach during the Pakistan series at Manchester in 2020.

Schedule of Tests:

1-5 December – 1st Test, Rawalpindi

9-13 December – 2nd Test, Multan

17-21 December – 3rd Test, Karachi