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Former Pakistan all-rounder, Azhar Mahmood, has concluded his tenure with the national Test side as interim head coach, ESPNcricinfo reported on Tuesday.
Azhar was appointed acting head coach of Pakistan’s red-ball team in June, with his contract originally set to run until March 2026.
However, with no Test cricket scheduled until Pakistan’s away tour of Bangladesh in March–April next year, both parties have decided to bring the arrangement to an early close.
The decision draws the curtain on a longer association between Azhar and the national side.
He had initially joined the coaching setup in April 2024 as an all-formats assistant coach, working alongside Gary Kirsten with the white-ball teams and Jason Gillespie with the Test side.
Following the early exits of both Kirsten and Gillespie, Azhar was elevated to the role of interim Test head coach.
During his brief spell in charge, Azhar Mahmood oversaw just one Test assignment, guiding Pakistan to a credible 1–1 home series draw against world Test champions South Africa.
“I was appointed by the PCB for a specific tenure, during which I carried out my responsibilities with professionalism and dedication,” Azhar told ESPNcricinfo.
“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.”
This was Azhar’s second stint with Pakistan’s national team. He previously served as bowling coach during Mickey Arthur’s tenure between 2016 and 2019.
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