Azhar Mahmood — the former Pakistani all-rounder has been included in England’s coaching staff for the upcoming T20Is against Pakistan. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Azhar Mahmood will support England bowling coach- Jon Lewis in the T20 series against Pakistan.
The two sides are currently facing each other in a three-match Test series with hosts leading 1-0. The second Test of England vs Pakistan was drawn after inclement weather played spoilsport.
The teams were frustrated to not have completed the match as the pitch conditions were very favourable for the bowlers and the match was turning out to be a competitive one. England had the lead coming into the second match after they dramatically won the first Test match at Old Trafford Manchester.
England Coaching Staff And Team Altered For T20 Against Pakistan
The 45-year-old Azhar Mahmood was in the Pakistani coaching staff until last year. He is a British citizenship holder and will be under head coach — Graham Thorpe, who replaces Chris Silverwood. He will be supported by assistant coach Paul Collingwood. Marcus Trescothick has been appointed batting coach while former Essex wicketkeeper James Foster will be the wicketkeeping coach for the series.
“In this crowded international summer, players who are currently in the Test match bio-secure bubble for the Pakistan Test series are not included in this squad,” England national selector Ed Smith said in a statement.
“We want to give multi-format players some opportunity to rest and refresh, while still selecting strong squads for every series. We will announce the squad for the Australia T20 series at a later date.”
England T20 Squad:
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey.
Reserves: Pat Brown, Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley.
The series starts on August 28, the second and third T20s are scheduled for August 30 and September 1.