Former first-class cricketer Sabih Azhar has replaced Kabir Khan as Pakistan's women's team coach, just days after the country's Board ruled out removing the incumbent.
The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced a 15-member squad with Azhar replacing Kabir as head coach for the World Cup which will be held from June 24 in England and Wales.
Pakistan made the cut for the mega-event via the qualifying tournament held in Sri Lanka in February.
Azhar is the fourth head coach of the women's team since last year, succeeding Mohtashim Rasheed, Basit Ali and Kabir -- the last two being former Test players.
The PCB gave no explanation for why Kabir had been replaced although it had rejected reports of his resignation just a few days ago.
Kabir, according to a PCB source, had submitted his resignation soon after the World Cup qualifiers.
The former Test pacer was not happy with the work ethic of the team and wanted the players to train harder.
Apparently, the players were not happy with the strenuous training they had to undergo under Kabir.
The 55-year-old Azhar has previously worked with the Pakistan under-19 and A teams without much success.
Pakistan will take on defending champions Australia and World T20 winners West Indies in warm-up games prior to the commencement of the World Cup.
The Pakistan women's squad: Sana Mir (Capt), Ayesha Zafar, Mariana Iqbal, Bisma Maroof, Javeria Khan, Nain Abidi, Sidra Nawaz, Kainat Imtiaz, Asmavia Iqbal, Diana Baig, Waheeda Akhtar, Nashra Sandhu, Ghulam Fatima and Sadia Yousuf.
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