Pak vs NZ: Saqlain Mushtaq joins New Zealand as assistant coach for Pakistan tour
Former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq All set to take up his duties as assistant coach of the New Zealand team for the upcoming limited overs series against Pakistan.
I accepted the role for a short period of time after being contacted by New Zealand Cricket. I will work with the team during my stay in Pakistan,” confirmed Saqlain while speaking. Geo News.
“I am currently in the US and will join the NZ squad on my return on April 12,” said the former Pakistan interim head coach.
Mushtaq will work with the Black Caps during the T20 and ODI series against Pakistan, which will be played in April-May. The series includes five ODIs and as many T20Is.
Mushtaq served recently. The head coach Pakistan was part of the team but left the post after the contract expired in February this year.
The development comes at a time when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to appoint a new coaching staff. Mickey Arthur – who will act as a consultant.
Arthur has previously been the head coach of the Pakistan team for three years, taking over in 2016. During his tenure, Pakistan also won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.
However, the PCB decided not to renew the contracts of Arthur and his support staff following the team’s fifth-place finish in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.
According to sources, PCB has almost finalized all the details regarding the coaching staff and an official announcement is expected soon.
Additionally, sources added that New Zealand’s Grant Bradburn, who has worked as Pakistan’s fielding coach in the past, may be named as the head coach, while former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel will take on the role of bowling coach. They are face to face.
It may be noted that the schedule of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand was revised recently due to the elections in Punjab.
The PCB said in a press release on March 20, “The Pakistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket have agreed to make changes to the New Zealand men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan for five ODIs and five T20Is. Agreed.”
The team will now arrive in Lahore and play three T20Is from April 14 to 17, before moving to Rawalpindi where the final two T20Is and the first ODI will be played from April 20 to 26. The tour will conclude with the remaining four ODIs to be played in Karachi from April 30 to May 7.
“This is an additional tour of the New Zealand cricket team and the matches will be counted in the ICC team rankings. The ODI will help Pakistan prepare its team for the ACC Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. , while the T20I will help the PCB continue to rebuild its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. in the USA and West Indies in June/July 2024.
Schedule:
April 14 – First T20, Lahore
April 15 2nd T20, Lahore
April 17 – 3rd T20, Lahore
April 20 4th T20, Rawalpindi
April 24 5th T20, Rawalpindi
April 26 – First ODI, Rawalpindi
April 30 – Second ODI, Karachi
May 3 – 3rd ODI, Karachi
May 5 – Fourth ODI, Karachi
May 7 – Fifth ODI, Karachi