Pakistan Names New Coaching Staff, Drops Azhar Mahmood
🇵🇰 PCB Reshuffles Support Staff Ahead of Bangladesh T20Is
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a revamped coaching and management lineup for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, notably omitting assistant coach Azhar Mahmood from the new structure announced just days before the series.
👔 Mike Hesson Appointed Pakistan’s New Head Coach
Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson takes charge as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach. He replaces Aqib Javed following his recent appointment on May 13, marking a fresh leadership phase for the Men in Green ahead of the Bangladesh series.
🏏 New Support Staff Brings Global Expertise
Hanif Malik will serve as batting coach, while Australian Ashley Noffke is appointed as the bowling coach. The PCB also confirmed Naveed Akram Cheema as team manager, rounding out the new strategic core for Pakistan’s T20 setup.
🤔 Azhar Mahmood Left Out Despite Coaching Aspirations
Azhar Mahmood, a former bowling coach and assistant, was surprisingly dropped despite expressing interest in the head coach role. The PCB chose not to consider him for any coaching position in this transitional setup, prompting widespread speculation.
🔍 Complete Backroom Overhaul Confirmed by PCB
Joining the new coaching staff are Mohammad Masroor (fielding), Cliff Deacon (physio), and Imranullah (conditioning). The team will also have analysts, doctors, a security manager, masseur, and a media liaison, signaling a complete backroom transformation.
📅 Revised Series Format and Venue Announced
Due to logistics and recent geopolitical tensions with India, the five-match series was reduced to three T20Is. All matches will now be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium between May 28 and June 1, starting at 8:00 PM local time.
✈️ Bangladesh Arrives in Groups for Lahore Clash
The Bangladesh squad is arriving in three separate batches. The first group, including Hasan Mahmud, Parvez Hossain Emon, and others, has landed in Lahore. Training sessions are scheduled for May 26 and 27 ahead of the series opener.
🎙️ Captains to Speak in Pre-Series Media Briefing
Pakistan and Bangladesh captains will attend a joint press conference on May 27. The training sessions preceding the event will allow both sides to acclimate and prepare for what’s expected to be a highly competitive T20I battle.
🧢 Salman Ali Agha to Lead Revamped Pakistan Squad
Salman Ali Agha has been named captain, with Shadab Khan as vice-captain. The 16-man squad, selected based on PSL X performances, includes Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Hasan Ali, and Saim Ayub. Several senior players were rested or dropped.
🚫 Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen Left Out of Squad
Key names including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are not part of this series. Also excluded are Abbas Afridi, Usman Khan, and Abdul Samad, suggesting a testing ground for new talent ahead of major tournaments.
🇧🇩 Litton Das to Captain Bangladesh in Lahore
Litton Das will lead Bangladesh’s T20I team, with off-spinner Mahedi Hasan serving as his deputy. Das took over as skipper after Najmul Hossain Shanto stepped down earlier this year, guiding Bangladesh through a new phase in their white-ball journey.
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Pakistan drop Azhar Mahmood in fresh coaching line-up for Bangladesh T20Is
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