Azhar Mahmood Ends Coaching Stint with Pakistan Test Side

Former Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood’s tenure as head coach of the Pakistan Test team has come to an end, following a mutual decision between him and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Azhar had been appointed acting head coach in June, with his contract originally set to run until March 2026. However, with no Test matches scheduled until Pakistan’s away series in Bangladesh in March–April next year, both parties agreed to conclude the stint earlier than planned.

Azhar’s exit brings to a close a broader association with the national side. He was first appointed as an all-formats assistant coach in April 2024, working alongside Gary Kirsten with the white-ball teams and Jason Gillespie with the red-ball side. Earlier that month, he had also overseen a white-ball series in an interim role.

During his time as acting head coach of the Test team, Azhar supervised just one Test series, guiding Pakistan to a creditable 1–1 home 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 marked Azhar’s second stint with the Pakistan national team. He previously served as bowling coach between 2016 and 2019 during Mickey Arthur’s tenure as head coach.

Azhar is currently the fast-bowling coach of Desert Vipers in the ILT20, where the side is topping the table. A return to full-time franchise coaching appears likely. In the past, he has served as head coach of Islamabad United in the PSL and as an assistant coach at Surrey.

His departure continues the pattern of frequent changes in Pakistan’s team management. While there is no immediate urgency, the PCB will now begin the process of appointing their eighth Test head coach since 2021, a period that has seen several shifts in the coaching structure, including phases with Mohammad Hafeez as team director and Grant Bradburn as coach under Arthur’s directorship.