WELLINGTON: Former Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq has been appointed as the assistant coach for the New Zealand cricket team, it was announced on Saturday.
Mushtaq, who had stepped down as the interim head coach of the Pakistani cricket squad in January, confirmed the news, saying he will join the Kiwis upon his return from the United States on April 12. This will be Mushtaq’s first assignment with the New Zealand cricket team.
“It is a short-term commitment with the NZ squad which is an honour for me,” Mushtaq said. He added that he will assist the Kiwis during their upcoming five-match T20I and One Day Internationals (ODI) series in Pakistan later this month.
It is worth noting that Mushtaq Ahmed’s contract as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team expired in February. Reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to rehire Mickey Arthur as the head coach and Grant Bradburn as the assistant coach. Former South African pacer Morne Morkel is expected to be appointed as the bowling coach, while Andrew Puttick is expected to be appointed as the batting coach. The coaching panel is expected to join the team before the start of the home series against New Zealand.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
