Mahmood, who played international cricket for Pakistan from 1996 to 2007, has been named as the interim head coach for their upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. 

The all-rounder left his job as an assistant coach of Surrey to take up this new role with the Pakistan national team. Mahmood is a respected coach who has previously been involved with Pakistan and has worked in T20 leagues around the globe as well. Under his guidance, Surrey won two back-to-back County Championships.

Butcher, who has played alongside Mahmood for Surrey, detailed the qualities that make him an ideal candidate for the Pakistan role. Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Butcher spoke highly of Mahmood’s work ethic and knowledge about fast bowling.

“He’s an absolute warrior,” Butcher said. “He still runs in and bowls full tilt. He’s in his late-forties. He’s still fit as a fiddle. Still runs in and gives the keepers practice, fizzing it through.

“He’s got enormous amounts of knowledge in terms of seam and swing bowling, whether it be reverse or normal. He’s the kind of guy that you absolutely love to have in your dressing room. He doesn’t believe there’s such a thing as a lost cause and I think he’s a much, much smarter guy than people have ever given him credit for in his coaching time, in terms of the way he reads the game.

“And that is the job that he’s been asked to do, and he will do that incredibly well. Should they ask him to do anything higher up than that, then all bets are off.”

Mahmood will be accompanied by Mohammad Yousuf as the batting coach and Saeed Ajmal as the bowling coach for the New Zealand series, while former left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz will be with the team as the manager. The series starts on April 18.