In a surprising u-turn, Pakistan batting coach Mohammad Yousuf, who had originally backed out of touring New Zealand, has now joined the team. Yousuf confirmed he would be available for the eight-match white-ball tour. This follows after PCB previously indicated that he would be missing from the tour due to his daughter falling ill.
Pakistan Prepares For New Zealand Series
Pakistan will play against host New Zealand for a limited-overs tour involving five T20Is and three ODIs. This would be Pakistan’s first action following their dismal run at the Champions Trophy 2025, wherein as the hosting country, they could not emerge victorious in even a single game and were knocked out in the group stage. Meanwhile, New Zealand made it to the final but lost closely to India.
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Yousuf Joins Coaching Panel, PCB Aims For Permanent Head Coach
Yousuf was given the role of Pakistan’s batting coach after the team’s terrible Champions Trophy outing. He is the sole newcomer to the support staff, as Aaqib Javed remained interim head coach and Azhar Mahmood the assistant coach for the tour. The PCB has also said it will start looking for a full-time head coach after the series against New Zealand.
“Yousuf has informed the board that his daughter is now in better health, so he is available to travel with the team to New Zealand,” a PCB official told PTI
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Michael Bracewell To Captain New Zealand In T20Is
Michael Bracewell will be the captain of New Zealand during the T20I series. Bracewell, who last year led the Black Caps in their 2-2 drawn series against Pakistan, replaces Mitchell Santner, who, along with Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra, will be missing due to IPL commitments.
With both Pakistan and New Zealand hoping to rebound and gain momentum, the series is shaping up to be a thrilling contest.
