Azhar Mahmood appointed as Pakistan's red-ball head coach

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Monday, announced former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the national men’s team.

Azhar will serve in this role until the conclusion of his current contract. It’s worth noting that he previously served as an assistant coach for the national side.

However, he was not part of the coaching panel for the Bangladesh series following Mike Hesson’s appointment as the white-ball head coach.

“A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience,” the PCB stated in a press release.

“Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team’s strategic core.

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“His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, makes him exceptionally well-suited for this position.

“His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles—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.”

It’s worth noting that the cricket board was looking for a permanent head coach for the red-ball team since the resignation of former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie in late 2024.

Following his departure, the PCB named former fast bowler Aqib Javed as interim head coach for the two-match Test series against South Africa, which ran from December 20, 2024, to January 7, 2025.

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