The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the lineup for the management of the team in the forthcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, appointing former pacer Azhar Mahmood as the head coach.

The scheduled matches are set to take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18 to 27. Azhar Mahmood, who previously served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan men’s cricket team from 2016 to 2019, boasts a record of 162 wickets and 2,421 runs in 164 international matches representing Pakistan.

Additionally, Wahab Riaz has been designated as the senior team manager, while Mohammad Yousuf will take on the role of batting coach. Saeed Ajmal, who previously served as the bowling coach during tours of Australia and New Zealand, will continue to act as the spin bowling coach.

The support personnel for the Pakistan team include Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Azhar Mahmood (head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Saeed Ajmal (spin bowling coach), Aftab Khan (field coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager), Zain Maqsood (videographer), Dr Khurram Sarwar (doctor), and Mohammad Imran (masseur).

The PCB has confirmed that the team selection for the New Zealand series will be announced on Tuesday, April 9, at 12:45 in the media conference room at the Gaddafi Stadium. The squad will rendezvous in Islamabad on April 14 in preparation for the series.

Expected members of the squad include Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Zaman Khan. Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Wasim Jr, and Abbas Afridi are also likely to be part of the 18-member contingent, and one of Abrar Ahmed or Usama Mir is anticipated to be included in the squad.

Haris Rauf, who sustained a shoulder injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, will not be joining the squad due to incomplete recovery.

1. The series will commence with three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on April 18, 20, and 21, followed by the final two matches in Lahore on April 25 and 27. Meanwhile, the New Zealand squad, led by Micael Bracewell, is scheduled to travel to Pakistan on April 12. Notably, several key players like Boult, Conway, Ferguson, Henry, Mitchell, Phillips, Ravindra, Santner, and Williamson will miss the series due to their commitments in the Indian Premier League.