The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended Aaqib Javed’s tenure as interim head coach for the upcoming limited-overs tour of New Zealand. A PCB spokesperson mentioned that due to the short time frame between the Champions Trophy and the New Zealand series, Aaqib Javed will continue in his role.
The board has initiated the process to recruit a permanent head coach for the national team, ensuring a thorough selection process. It is anticipated that Pakistan will have a new head coach in place before the start of their next World Test Championship cycle in August.
Previously, PCB had appointed Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten as red-ball and white-ball coaches, respectively. However, both resigned within a few months, citing disagreements with the Pakistan board.
Subsequently, senior selector Aaqib Javed was asked to assume the interim head coach position for both the white-ball squad and the red-ball team for Test series against South Africa and the West Indies.
He continued in this capacity for the recent tri-nation tournament in Pakistan and the Champions Trophy, where the team did not secure any victories.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf will now serve as the team’s batting coach.
The PCB has also announced the appointments of Salman Ali Agha as captain and Shadab Khan as vice-captain for the T20 team, focusing on the T20 World Cup next year.
The decision to name Salman and Shadab as T20I captain and vice-captain is strategic, keeping in mind the upcoming major tournaments – the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, according to the board.
Salman has prior experience leading Pakistan in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, which they won 2-1.
In preparation for the T20 World Cup, Pakistan is scheduled to play at least five T20Is in the Asia Cup 2025 and three T20Is each against West Indies (away), Afghanistan (home), Ireland (home), South Africa (home), Sri Lanka (home), and Australia (home) leading up to January 2026.
Mohammad Rizwan will remain the captain of the ODI team as Pakistan prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup, to be held in Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
The board also confirmed that Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for selection for the New Zealand tour in either format due to medical reasons.
Fakhar sustained a left intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture from a Test match against South Africa in January.
Both players are expected to be fully recovered for the Pakistan Super League 10, commencing in Rawalpindi on April 11.
