Azhar Mahmood Archives

Azhar Mahmood reveals reason behind backing Shadab Khan in T20 World Cup

Pakistan men’s cricket team’s assistant head coach Azhar Mahmood revealed the reason behind backing Shadab Khan despite his struggles during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Speaking to media in Houston, the former all-rounder said that Khan was kept in Pakistan playing XI for all the matches due to the failure of the batting order.

According to Azhar Mahmood, Shadab Khan was a complete player and could not be dropped from the team during the T20 World Cup 2024.

Mahmood was accompanied by senior manager and member selection committee Wahab Riaz who mentioned that the all-rounder was selected in the team based on experience.

Riaz revealed that he had told Usama Mir that there was no place for him in the team for the T20 World Cup 2024.

For the unversed, former champions Pakistan had a disastrous T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as they were, in a first, knocked out of the tournament from the group stage.

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The Green Shirts had a disapponting start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as they suffered a shock loss against the USA in the Super Over.

Pakistan then succumbed to a frustrating six-run defeat against arch-rivals India at a jam-packed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on June 9.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament.

The former champions then finally got on the winning track when they registered a hard-fought seven-wicket victory over Canada.

Pakistan then edged past Ireland in another stiff challenge to bow out of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a win.

The 2009 champions finished third in Group A standings with four points in four matches.

READ: Hat-trick may not spare Pat Cummins from T20 World Cup 2024 chop

Azhar Mahmood points out positives from Pakistan’s loss

Azhar Mahmood, head coach of Pakistan, has pointed out the positives from the national team’s narrow loss against an inexperienced New Zealand team in the ongoing T20I series.

Pakistan team failed to chase 179 during the last-over thriller in Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.

New Zealand are currently leading the five-match series 2-1. The two teams will square off in the last match of the series on April 27.

Despite the loss, Azhar Mahmood stated that Pakistan outperformed New Zealand in many areas of the game, but acknowledged that there were still areas for improvement.

“There were a few positives for us as we scored more boundaries than New Zealand. We also bowled more dot balls but they just took more doubles than us,” the former all-rounder said.

“These are areas of concern for us and we’re constantly working on it.”

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He also defended young batter Usman Khan, who failed to live up to the expectations during the series, scoring a meagre 28 runs in three innings.

“We always talk about showing intent. The way Usman Khan showed intent today was pleasant to watch. He played some good shots but couldn’t perform the way we wanted him to. But intent-wise, he was spot on,” he added.

Azhar Mahmood also stated that the team has all bases covered, but they were testing their bench strength during the ongoing series.

“We have an idea of our best playing XI but we wanted to test our bench strength as well before going into the World Cup,” he further added.

“We’ve almost every base covered. There are a few injury setbacks which is unfortunate.”

READ: Babar Azam opens up about Pakistan’s narrow loss against New Zealand

Azhar Mahmood hints at resting Babar Azam in New Zealand T20Is

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan cricket team’s head coach Azhar Mahmood said that captain Babar Azam could also be rested as part of the rotation policy and to refine the team’s combination.

Addressing a presser in Rawalpindi, Azhar Mahmood said that any player including Babar Azam could be rested during the five-match series, depending on the situation.

“As per policy, we will try to select the best 11 best available players for every match while keeping the conditions in mind,” he added.

To a question, Azhar Mahmood said the team’s management has not decided on the opening pair yet.

“We have not finalised who would be opening the inning. It (opening pair) could be Babar-Saim, Saim-Rizwan and even Fakhar Zaman can also open the inning,” he added.

The head coach also expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities, emphasising the squad’s robust composition and strategic preparations for their upcoming home series against New Zealand.

“The composition of our team, with its blend of experienced batters, agile fast bowlers, and versatile all-rounders, fills me with great confidence,” the coach said.

Azhar Mahmood was of the view that the return of experienced players like all-rounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir boosted the team. “Their comeback will undoubtedly bolster our team’s strength,” he stated.

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To a question, he regarded the New Zealand team players as future stars while dismissing the impression of “B Team” sent to play against Pakistan.

“The date indicates that they have a great deal of domestic cricket experience. They are their finest player, and no team is weak in T20s. This is the New Zealand team, and they are playing Pakistan,” Azhar Mahmood added.

The head coach said that fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is completely fit and available for the series starting from April 18.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule

April 18 — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

April 20 — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 21 — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore

April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore

READ: Trophy for Pakistan-West Indies ODI series unveiled

Azhar Mahmood named Pakistan head coach for New Zealand T20Is

Former Pakistan fast bowler Azhar Mahmood has been named as the head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Azhar represented Pakistan in 164 internationals, taking 162 wickets and scoring 2,421 runs. Azhar’s previous assignment with the Pakistan men’s cricket team was from 2016-2019 when he was the bowling coach.

Wahab Riaz has been appointed as the senior team manager, while Mohammad Yousuf will be the batting coach.

Saeed Ajmal, who was the bowling coach on the last tours of Australia and New Zealand, will continue as the spin bowling coach.

Pakistan team player support personnel for New Zealand T20Is:

Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Azhar Mahmood (head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Saeed Ajmal (spin bowling coach), Aftab Khan (field coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager), Zain Maqsood (videographer), Dr Khurram Sarwar (doctor), and Mohammad Imran (masseur).

Earlier on Monday, the national selection committee met Pakistan cricketers who featured in Kakul’s physical training camp at a local hotel in Islamabad.

Among the 29 players who featured in the camp, only Mohammad Rizwan was not present, as he had left for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah on Sunday night.

In the meeting, the selection committee took the players in confidence regarding the selection policy, which includes rotation policy and providing opportunities to new players.

The national selection committee members present at the meeting were Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, Hasan Cheema, Mohammad Yousuf and Wahab Riaz. Usman Wahla – Director International Cricket Operations also attended the meeting.

New Zealand are slated to reach Pakistan on April 14, two days after Pakistan’s squad announcement, for the crucial series, leading to the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the first three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April.

The two sides will then travel to Lahore to lock horns in the remaining two T20Is on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

READ: Babar Azam opens up on ‘painful’ defeat against Afghanistan in World Cup