Azhar Mahmood Becomes Pakistan’s Acting Head Coach in Tests

Azhar Mahmood Becomes Pakistan’s Acting Head Coach in Tests

The PCB has appointed the former Pakistani cricketer, Azhar Manmood, as their acting head coach in test cricket. He has been serving as the Pakistan cricket team’s assistant coach since April 2024. Now, he is set to take another role within the team. The team has not had a head coach in test cricket since December 2024. The PCB appointed Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie as their coaches for limited overs cricket and tests, respectively. The two decorated former players were handed a two-year contract. But both individuals have resigned prematurely. Kirsten left his role in October 2024, while Gillespie left the team in December 2024. Recently, Basit Ali added fuel to leadership problems in PCB. The former batter raised questions regarding who will lead the team.

The PCB has decided to appoint former New Zealand cricketer, Mike Hesson, as their white-ball team coach after Kirsten. But the team has been without the red-ball head coach since Gillespie left. Azhar Mahmood will serve as the team’s acting head coach in red-ball cricket until his assistant coach contract comes to an end. That means he will be with the Pakistan Cricket Team as their acting head coach in the team’s next two test assignments at home. Pakistan will host South Africa in October and Sri Lanka in December-January at home for a test series.

Azhar Mahmood Coaching Career

Azhar Mahmood is not new in the international cricket coaching field. He became Pakistan’s bowling coach in 2016 and served two short stints. The former all-rounder was again picked for the same role in the national team in November 2016 till August 2019. Mahmood served in the role of Pakistan’s head coach in the series against New Zealand in April 2024.

Not just in international cricket, Azhar Mahmood has played an important role for the English County, Surrey. While he was a part of the coaching setup, the County side won two titles. He also served as a bowling coach for Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In December 2021, Islamabad United appointed him as their head coach in the 7th season of the PSL.

All-and-all, Azhar Mahmood has enough experience and understanding to be there with the national team as head coach. His experience speaks volumes, and the team will hope that he will come good for the national side.

PCB on Azhar Mahmood’s Appointment as Head Coach

The PCB announced Mahmood’s appointment as the team’s acting red-ball coach. In a statement, the PCB said Mahmood has a seasoned cricketing brain. He has been with the national side for a while now and has been an important part of the team’s strategic core. The PCB thinks that with Azhar’s deep understanding of the game, all that international experience, and the way he’s succeeded in the English county circuit, he’s just perfect for this role.

Giving an example of Mahmood winning two County Championship titles with Surrey, the PCB said his leadership, sharp tactics, and serious dedication have been on point. They are pretty confident that with Azhar in charge, the red-ball team will keep getting stronger, more disciplined, and perform better internationally.

Pakistan Has Struggled With Continuity in Coaching

The Pakistan Cricket Team has struggled to continue with coaching in the last few years. We have already given the instance where Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie left the coaching within six months of their contract. In the last few years, a few individuals have left the Pakistan team’s coaching and selection panels unwillingly and before their time. They have changed the number of coaches, but could not sustain one for a longer duration. It inevitably affects the team’s stability and performance. In the case of Pakistan, the frequent changes in coaching staff have disrupted the development of a consistent playing strategy and long-term planning. Each new coach brings a different philosophy, approach, and expectations, which can confuse players and hinder their progress.

He will look to improve his CV in his coaching career and wants to win games for his national team. Pakistan has banked on him for a while, but they will look for a longer duration if they need results.