ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to continue with former speedster Umar Gul as the bowling coach for the national side during the home series against New Zealand, which starts with the first T20I in Lahore on April 14.
A well-placed source within the PCB has told ‘The News’ that Gul, in all likelihood, would continue to be the bowling coach for the second successive series. He has already performed his duties as bowling coach during the away series against Afghanistan.
“Umar has been conveyed to get ready to continue as a bowling coach for the series against New Zealand. South African Morne Morkel has already committed to the Lucknow Super Giants [in IPL] and would not be in a position to join Pakistan team for the series. Morkel was picked by Mickey Arthur and is part of the panel that he had selected for the national team,” a source within the Board said.
Earlier, the PCB confirmed that Rawalpindi has been given an additional ODI match against New Zealand.
Pindi Cricket Stadium, which was scheduled to host an ODI and T20I, will now host two ODIs and a T20I.
Karachi, who was initially scheduled to hold four ODIs, will now stage last three 50-over games against the Kiwis.
Lahore has retained hosting rights of the first four T20Is of five-match series against the visitors.
Pakistan squads
T20I: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan
ODI: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir
Series schedule (T20Is to start at 9pm; ODIs to begin at 3.30pm):
14 Apr - 1st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi
Our Correspondent- Umar Gul