PCB names interim coaching staff

Three-match T20I series against BD will be played in Lahore

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday, announced the team management for the upcoming three-match home T20I series against Bangladesh, with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood being a notable absentee.

Mahmood was one of the frontrunners to become the new head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team besides Mike Hesson, who eventually landed the role earlier this month for an undefined period.

Mahmood, in an interview earlier this month, had expressed his interest in taking up the role, stating that he would apply for the role.

"I'm definitely going to apply for the Pakistan team head coach role," Mahmood stated. Azhar Mahmood has previously held the role of bowling coach and remains a familiar figure in Pakistan's coaching setup.

Notably, following the conclusion of former pacer Aqib Javed's tenure as the interim head coach, the men's cricket team is once again set to embark on a new era under new coaches and support staff, led by Hesson.

Among considerable changes, the PCB also brought in former Australia pacer Ashley Noffke as the bowling coach, while former first-class cricketer Hanif Malik has been appointed as the batting coach.

Mohammad Masroor and Cliffe Deacon remained fielding coach and physio respectively, while Imranullah has been named the strength and conditioning. Naveed Akram Cheema, on the other hand, will serve as the team manager.

Bangladesh reach Lahore

The Bangladesh men's cricket team arrived in Pakistan in the wee hours of Sunday to play a three-match T20I series, scheduled to commence on May 28.

According to the details, a 10-member group of the Bangladesh cricket team reached Lahore in the first phase, including Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

The remaining members of the Bangladesh will arrive on Monday. For the unversed, Bangladesh were originally scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on May 21 in two groups for a five-match T20I series, with the opening game planned for May 25 in Faisalabad.

However, due to logistical challenges and evolving security considerations, the tour has been shortened to a three-match series. The decision was finalised after a productive meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials, including BCB Chairman Nazmul Abedeen and President Farooq Ahmed.

Following constructive discussions, both boards agreed to proceed with the revised tour, setting aside earlier concerns.

As per the new schedule, all three T20Is will now be played at the Gaddafi Stadium here on May 28 and 30 and June 1, respectively.

Earlier, Bangladesh batter Soumya Sarkar has been ruled out of the three T20Is in Pakistan due to back injury.

Soumya missed the three T20Is against UAE in Sharjah, a series Bangladesh lost 2-1, and the team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said he would need a couple of weeks to recover.

"Following medical evaluation, it has been determined that the injury requires an extended rehabilitation period of approximately 10 to 12 days," Bayjedul said. "This effectively means that he will not be available for next week's three-match series in Pakistan."

Squads

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper) and Saim Ayub.

Bangladesh: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-capt), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Shoriful Islam.