ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has signaled structural continuity amidst wider changes in team leadership by selecting former international all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan Test team, filling a crucial coaching spot.
Azhar will serve in this capacity until the completion of his current contract with the PCB. His appointment brings familiarity and experience to a Test side seeking consistency following an underwhelming performance in the last World Test Championship cycle.
Experienced Hand at the Helm
Azhar Mahmood’s selection is widely seen as a natural progression.
He previously served as assistant to former red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, and his long-standing relationship with PCB coaching roles made him a frontrunner.
The ex-cricketer brings substantial experience to the job—21 Tests and 143 ODIs under his belt—followed by coaching stints with national and global T20 franchises.
This experience, combined with his inside knowledge of Pakistan’s cricketing ecosystem, is expected to offer much-needed stability to the red-ball setup.
Shaping the Future of Test Cricket
Azhar’s first major test will come in October, when Pakistan hosts South Africa for a red-ball series.
With time to work on the squad’s technical and mental preparedness, his leadership will be key to improving Pakistan’s standing in the Test arena.
This appointment aligns with PCB’s recent coaching overhaul, which includes Mike Hesson as the head of white-ball formats, pointing toward a format-specific coaching strategy designed to improve performance and accountability.
As Pakistan begins this new chapter under Azhar’s red-ball leadership, the focus is on regaining its competitive edge and restoring pride in the traditional format of the game.
