Azhar appointed acting head coach of Pakistan red ball team

Staff Report

LAHORE: Azhar Mahmood has been appointed “the acting red-ball head coach” of the Pakistan men’s national team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that Azhar will serve in the position “until the conclusion of his current contract”, which will cover Pakistan’s next Test-match assignments, against South Africa at home in October and against Sri Lanka at home in December-January. Azhar had been the national team’s assistant coach April last year. He was the head coach in Pakistan’s T20I series at home against New Zealand earlier that month. The 50-year-old former allrounder represented his country in 143 ODIs and 21 Tests over a 20-year period from 1996. He retired with 162 international wickets and three centuries. “A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience,” the PCB noted in a statement. “Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team’s strategic core. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, make him exceptionally well-suited for this position.

“His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles [with Surrey] – an achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence. The PCB is confident that under Azhar’s guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline and performance on the global stage.” Pakistan have not had a full-time head coach for their Test team since Jason Gillespie resigned six months into his stint in December 2024. Aaqib Javed then took over in an interim capacity for the two-Test tour to South Africa and the home two-Test series against West Indies in the previous World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Aaqib had also filled in, again in an interim capacity, as the head coach of the white-ball team after Gary Kirsten quit in October 2024, less than six months into his contract. Mike Hesson has since been appointed in that position. Pakistan finished last in the last WTC cycle, with just five wins in 14 games.