Azhar Mahmood named Pakistan's head coach for New Zealand T20Is

Former fast bowler Azhar Mahmood has been named as the head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday. The five-match T20I series will start on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and will conclude on April 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore. "Azhar represented Pakistan in 164 internationals, taking 162 wickets and scoring 2,421 runs," PCB said in an official statement.

Azhar's previous assignment with the Pakistan men's cricket team was from 2016-2019 when he was the bowling coach.

Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz has been named senior team manager, with Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach. Saeed Ajmal, who was the bowling coach on the last tours of Australia and New Zealand, will continue as the spin bowling coach.