KEY POINTS
- The decision was prompted by a lack of Test matches until mid-2025.
- His sole series resulted in a creditable 1-1 draw against South Africa.
- His exit continues a cycle of frequent coaching changes for Pakistan since 2021.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Azhar Mahmood have mutually agreed to end his stint as the acting head coach of the national Test side with immediate effect.
Contract Cut Short Amid Quiet Schedule
The decision, confirmed on Tuesday, brings a premature end to a contract originally slated to run until March 2026. Azhar was appointed to the acting role in June this year. However, with Pakistan having no Test matches scheduled until an away series in Bangladesh in March-April 2025, both parties opted to conclude the arrangement now.
“I was appointed by the PCB for a specific tenure, during which I carried out my responsibilities with professionalism and dedication,” Azhar told the media. “My contract has now come to an end, and I extend my best wishes to the team for their continued success in their future endeavours.”
A Broader Association Concludes
His departure marks the end of a longer association that began in April 2024, when he was initially hired as an all-formats assistant coach. In that role, he was tasked with supporting white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten and red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie. He also briefly oversaw a white-ball series in an interim capacity earlier that same month.
Creditable Draw in Sole Series
In his sole Test series as acting head coach, Azhar oversaw a commendable 1-1 draw at home against the world Test champion South Africa side.
History with Pakistan and Future Prospects
This was Azhar Mahmood’s second stint with the Pakistan national team, having previously served as bowling coach under Mickey Arthur between 2016 and 2019. The former allrounder is currently the fast-bowling coach for the Desert Vipers in the ILT20 and is likely to return to the franchise coaching circuit. He has previously held head coach roles at Islamabad United in the PSL and served as an assistant coach at Surrey.
Another Chapter in Pakistan’s Coaching Churn
His exit continues a period of significant churn in the management of the Pakistan men’s side. While there is no immediate urgency, the PCB will now begin the search for an eighth different head coach for the Test team since 2021. This tally includes periods of overlapping leadership under various team directors and coaches, highlighting the ongoing instability in the side’s backroom structure.
