For the forthcoming limited-overs series against Pakistan, former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is prepared to carry out his responsibilities as the New Zealand team’s assistant coach.
“I have agreed to play this position for a limited time after being contacted by New Zealand Cricket. During an interview with Geo News, Saqlain affirmed, “I will only work with the squad while they are in Pakistan.
The former Pakistan interim head coach stated, “I am currently in the United States and will join the NZ squad upon my return on April 12.”
When the Black Caps face Pakistan in T20I and ODI matches in April and May, Mushtaq will assist them. Five ODIs and five T20Is make up the series.
Mushtaq most recently worked as the Pakistani team’s head coach, but he resigned after his contract ended in February of last year.
This news comes as Mickey Arthur, who will act as a consultant, is anticipated to lead a new coaching team that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will select.
In 2016, Arthur assumed the position of Pakistan’s team’s head coach, a position he held for three years. Pakistan also won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy during his presidency.
However, following the team’s fifth-place result at the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the PCB made the decision not to renew the contracts of Arthur and his support personnel.
A formal statement is anticipated shortly, according to sources, as the PCB has nearly completed finalizing all the specifics regarding the coaching staff.
According to additional reports, Grant Bradburn of New Zealand, who previously served as Pakistan’s fielding teacher, may be appointed head coach, and former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel is a candidate for the position of bowling coach.
It should be mentioned that the Pakistan-New Zealand series’ schedule was recently changed as a result of the Punjab elections.
The New Zealand men’s cricket squad will play five one-day internationals and five Twenty20 internationals in Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in a news release on March 20.
“The team will now land in Lahore and play three T20 Internationals from April 14–17 before moving on to Rawalpindi to play the concluding two T20 Internationals and the first ODI from April 20–26. The final four ODIs, which will be contested in Karachi from April 30 to May 7, will serve as the tour’s conclusion.
The New Zealand cricket squad is on an extra trip, and the games will contribute towards the ICC squad Rankings. The ODIs will aid Pakistan in getting ready for the ACC Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023, while the T20Is will help the PCB continue to put the team back together for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will take place in the USA and the West Indies in June/July 2024.
Schedule:
April 14 — 1st T20I, Lahore
April 15 — 2nd T20I, Lahore
April 17 — 3rd T20I, Lahore
April 20 — 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
April 24 — 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
April 26 — 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
April 30 — 2nd ODI, Karachi
May 3 — 3rd ODI, Karachi
May 5 — 4th ODI, Karachi
May 7 — 5th ODI, Karachi