Pakistan Cricket Board : Taking a big decision for Test cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the Test team. Mahmood has previously worked for a long time as the team’s bowling coach and assistant head coach. Now he will take over the responsibility of the head coach till the end of his current contract.
Azhar Mahmood will replace Aaqib Javed
Azhar Mahmood has replaced Aaqib Javed, who was previously playing this role temporarily after the resignation of Jason Gillespie. The PCB has made this appointment at a time when the Pakistan team is preparing for the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.
First coaching test will be against South Africa
Importantly, Azhar Mahmood’s first coaching assignment will be the home Test series against South Africa. This two-match Test series will be held in Pakistan this year, and this will be the first big test of his coaching career.
Azhar Mahmood’s cricket career
50-year-old Azhar Mahmood has performed brilliantly in his international career. He played:
- 21 Test matches for Pakistan, in which he scored 900 runs and took 39 wickets.
- 141 ODIs have 1521 runs and 123 wickets to his name.
- He also scored 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries in international cricket.
Showed his strength in IPL too
Azhar Mahmood has also left his mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
- In 2012 and 2013 he represented Punjab Kings (PBKS).
- In 2015 he was a part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
- In a total of 23 matches of IPL he took 29 wickets and scored 388 runs.
PCB has high expectations from Mahmood
The Pakistan Cricket Board hopes that under the coaching of Azhar Mahmood there will be a balance of young and experienced players and the team will move towards a new direction in Test cricket. His appointment has come at a time when the Pakistan Test team needs stability and strategic leadership.