He has already linked up with the Pakistan squad in Sharjah, where they were playing the third and final Test against West Indies. Pakistan have been without a bowling coach since the end of the England tour. The PCB were deliberating over several candidates, including former fast bowler Aaqib Javed. However, he was unwilling to give up his current role as the PSL team Lahore Qalandars' head of cricket operations. Mahmood may have less than a year's experience coaching an international team, but he represented Pakistan for 10 years and after he retired in 2007 he became a T20 specialist, playing for domestic teams at home and in England, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand and the West Indies. Pakistan depart for New Zealand on November 4 to play two Tests, in Christchurch and Hamilton.