Courtesy: Google
Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as the acting head coach of Pakistan men’s cricket team in the Test format. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the former all-rounder of Pakistan will be in-charge of the red-ball side in an interim capacity until the end of his contract with them.
This contract with Mahmood will cover Pakistan’s next Test-match assignments, against South Africa at home in October and against Sri Lanka at home in December-January. He was brought on board as an assistant coach in April last year across formats. He was the head coach in Pakistan’s T20I series at home against New Zealand earlier that month.
Pakistan’s tryst with head coach for their Test team
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-match Test tour to South Africa and the home two Test-match series against West Indies in the previous cycle of World Test Championship (WTC).
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 to that post.
In its statement, Pakistan Cricket Board said, “ 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.” Azhar Mahmood represented Pakistan in 143 ODIs and 21 Test matches over a period of 20 years from 1996 onwards. He retired with 162 international wickets and three centuries.
