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Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan’s batting coach, is scheduled to fly to New Zealand for the next white-ball trip. On Tuesday, March 11, he first opted out owing to his daughter’s health, but only a few hours later reversed his decision.
Yousuf, a great former cricketer, has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he will accompany the squad as it faces the Kiwis in a five-match T20I series followed by three ODIs. He will leave with the squad on Wednesday.
This will be Pakistan’s first match following the dismal Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. They lost to New Zealand and India before their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was called off due to rain. Following the catastrophe, the Mohammad Rizwan-led team received harsh criticism from fans and former cricketers.
Mohammad Yousuf’s appointment as batting coach came after Pakistan’s disappointing Champions Trophy performance.
The former captain was the only new member of the support staff, as the PCB retained Aaqib Javed as temporary head coach for the tour, along with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. The PCB also indicated that it will advertise for the head coach position following the tour, with the goal of hiring a permanent coach for the squad.
“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 India Today.
New Zealand will present a depleted squad as key players prioritize IPL.
On the other hand, New Zealand advanced to the finals, where they were defeated by India by four wickets on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The majority of New Zealand cricket’s prominent stars will not play against Pakistan because they will be with their individual clubs in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Blackcaps have confirmed their T20I squad, with Michael Bracewell replacing usual skipper Mitchell Santner, who has joined with five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians.
The T20I series begins on Sunday, March 16, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Dunedin (March 18), Auckland (March 21), Mount Maunganui (March 23), and Wellington (March 26) will host the series’ final four games. Meanwhile, the ODIs will take place in Napier (March 29), Hamilton (April 2), and Mount Maunganui (April 5).
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