The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan Men’s team. He will serve in this capacity until the conclusion of his current contract.
Azhar, a seasoned campaigner with a wealth of international and domestic experience, steps into the role with a strong track record in strategic leadership, both on and off the field. Having already served as the assistant head coach of the national side, he has been a central figure in the team’s planning and performance setup in recent years.
The PCB, in its official statement, highlighted Azhar’s deep cricketing pedigree, noting that his “hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit” position him as an ideal candidate to guide the red-ball unit during this transitional period.
A key highlight of Azhar’s coaching résumé includes two County Championship titles, underscoring his credibility as a tactician and man-manager in the longer format of the game. His appointment is seen as a continuation of the PCB’s effort to maintain stability in the national coaching structure while grooming leadership with proven credentials.
“His deep knowledge of the game, combined with his strategic acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence, make him exceptionally well-suited for this position,” the PCB noted.
The move comes at a time when the PCB has also appointed Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach and Aqib Javed as the Director of High Performance, as part of a broader restructuring aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s cricketing infrastructure.
With Azhar now tasked with overseeing the red-ball unit, the PCB expressed confidence that under his leadership, the Test squad will “continue to grow in strength, discipline and performance on the global stage.”
Further updates regarding the coaching structure for upcoming red-ball assignments are expected closer to Pakistan’s next Test series.
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