In the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, it has been decided to assign coaching roles exclusively to coaches available domestically.

Mohammad Yousuf is expected to take on the role of head coach for the home series, with Abdul Razzaq likely to join as one of the assistant coaches. The final approval will be given by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The PCB is also gearing up for a significant change in leadership with the potential appointment of renowned figures Gary Kirsten from South Africa and Jason Gillespie from Australia as coaches for the men’s national cricket team.

According to reliable sources within the PCB, the board intends to allocate specific coaching roles to Kirsten and Gillespie, focusing on the different formats of the game. Kirsten is slated to take charge of the white-ball cricket, including One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), while Gillespie is expected to guide the team in red-ball cricket.

The PCB has also initiated the process of appointing an assistant coach, inviting applications from qualified candidates until April 20th. The ideal candidate is expected to hold a minimum Level II coaching accreditation along with at least three years of experience working with international teams, franchises, or domestic setups.

The upcoming series against New Zealand is anticipated to witness the implementation of decisions regarding local coaches, with Kirsten’s potential appointment as head coach reportedly in the final stages of negotiation, pending his availability after the Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.

Discussions are also underway regarding the integration of foreign head coaches into the team, particularly for the tours to Ireland and England, further bolstering the coaching setup. Additionally, negotiations with Gillespie for the role of head coach of the Red Ball team are progressing.

The announcement of the squad for the New Zealand series has faced delays due to the requirement for fitness reports from the camp, emphasizing PCB’s commitment to ensuring optimal physical preparedness among players.

The PCB has a two-year contract with Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul, and their future remains to be determined. Additionally, the names of other domestic coaches are also being considered.

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