Cricket Kitchen

Who is Azhar Mahmood, the Acting Head Coach of Pakistan’s Test Team?

June 30, 2025

 

Kathmandu – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Azhar Mahmood as the “acting red-ball (Test) head coach” of the Pakistan men’s national team. According to the PCB, Azhar will remain in the role until the end of his current contract. During this period, Pakistan is scheduled to play Test series at home against South Africa in October and against Sri Lanka in December-January.

In a press release, the PCB stated that Azhar Mahmood brings deep experience to the role. Having previously served as the assistant coach of the national team, Azhar has been a key part of the team’s strategic core for a long time.

“His knowledge of the game, direct international exposure, and success in English county cricket make him a suitable candidate for this position,” the statement said.

Azhar was initially appointed as interim assistant coach ahead of Pakistan’s white-ball tour of New Zealand in early 2024. The 50-year-old former all-rounder represented Pakistan in 143 ODIs and 21 Tests between 1997 and 2007, taking 162 international wickets and scoring three centuries.

Since Jason Gillespie stepped down as head coach in December 2024, Pakistan had not appointed a full-time Test coach. Following his resignation, Aaqib Javed took over as interim head coach for the two-match Test tour of South Africa and the home series against West Indies.

Aaqib also served as interim head coach of the white-ball team after Gary Kirsten resigned in October 2024 before the end of his contract. Mike Hesson has since been appointed as the full-time head coach of the white-ball side.

Pakistan finished last in the previous ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, winning only five out of 14 matches.