By Zainab Shafiq 
Former Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has been appointed as the assistant coach for the New Zealand cricket team for the upcoming limited-overs series against Pakistan. The series includes five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and is scheduled to be played in Pakistan during April-May.
Mushtaq, who recently served as head coach of the Pakistan team, confirmed the news and stated that he will only work with the team during their stay in Pakistan. The development comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to appoint a new coaching staff led by Mickey Arthur, who will serve as a consultant.
Arthur previously served as the head coach of the Pakistan team and led them to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. However, the PCB decided not to renew his contract following the team’s fifth-place finish at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. According to sources, the PCB has nearly finalized all the details with regards to the coaching staff, and an official announcement is expected soon.
Additionally, sources suggest that New Zealand’s Grant Bradburn, who has previously worked as Pakistan’s fielding coach, could be named as head coach, while former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel is in the mix for the role of bowling coach.
The schedule for the series between Pakistan and New Zealand was revised recently due to elections in Punjab. The teams will now play three T20Is in Lahore from 14-17 April before traveling to Rawalpindi where the final two T20Is and the first ODI will be played from 20-26 April. The tour will culminate in Karachi, with the remaining four ODIs scheduled to be played from 30 April to 7 May.
The tour is significant for both teams, as the matches will count towards the ICC Team Rankings. The ODIs will help Pakistan prepare their side for the ACC Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, while the T20Is will assist the PCB in continuing to rebuild their side for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the USA and West Indies in June/July 2024.
The appointment of Saqlain Mushtaq as the assistant coach for New Zealand’s limited-overs series against Pakistan adds an exciting dynamic to the tour. It will be interesting to see how Mushtaq’s experience and knowledge of Pakistani cricket will benefit the Black Caps during the series.
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