Azhar Mahmood appointed as Pakistan bowling coach, will begin charge from New Zealand series

Karachi: Prior to New Zealand Test series starting from November 17, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has roped in former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the bowling coach of the national team.

Azhar had coached Pakistan during the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 held earlier this year.

The former Pakistan all-rounder, who had played 21 Tests and 141 ODIs for Pakistan, had also assisted the national team in the limited over series in England after which his contract ended.As per the Dawn, a PCB official said earlier Mickey Arthur, Pakistan team head coach, had recommended some other foreigner coaches` name for the job of the bowling coach but talks with them didn`t work out due to financial and availability issues.

The official insisted that the cricket board decided to rope in Azhar for the job seeing his previous experience with the national team.

"Azhar`s first task will be the test series against New Zealand starting from November 17," he said.

Azhar bagged 39 wickets and scored 900 runs in the 21 Tests which he played for Pakistan. He also claimed 123 wickets and scored 1,521 runs in his 143 ODI appearances.Pakistan will play two Test matches in the tour. The first Test match will be played from November 17-21 at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch and the second Test will commence from November 25-29 at the Seddon Park, Hamilton.

The Pakistan Test squad is as follows:

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.