Pakistan Appoints Azhar Mahmood as Acting Test Team Coach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially announced on Monday that former cricketer Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan Men’s cricket team.

According to the PCB statement, Azhar will continue in this position until his current contract ends. His appointment reflects the board’s confidence in his experience and knowledge of the game.

Azhar Mahmood is a well-known name in the cricket world. He brings a wealth of experience to this role, both as a player and as a coach. Over the years, he has worked closely with the national team as an assistant head coach, playing a key part in planning strategies and team development.

He has also played and coached in various international leagues, especially in England’s County Championship, where he made a strong impact. Notably, he has won the County Championship title twice, which highlights his skills in leadership, strategy, and team management. These achievements prove his ability to deliver results in red-ball cricket, which is the traditional and most demanding format of the game.

The PCB expressed hope that Azhar’s appointment will help the team improve its performance, maintain discipline, and achieve better results at the international level. The board believes that under his leadership, the red-ball squad will continue to grow and compete strongly against top teams around the world.

Interestingly, just a few weeks ago, the PCB had left Azhar out of the coaching staff for the T20I series against Bangladesh. This came as a surprise to many, as Azhar had previously played an important role in the team’s setup.

Azhar, a former Pakistan all-rounder, had also served as the national bowling coach in the past. In a recent interview earlier this month, he shared his interest in taking on a bigger role.

“I’m definitely going to apply for the Pakistan team head coach role,” he had said confidently.

However, instead of Azhar, the PCB decided to appoint Mike Hesson as the head coach shortly before the Bangladesh series. While Azhar was not chosen for the top job, he has still been given a very important responsibility as the red-ball head coach.

Apart from his national duties, Azhar Mahmood is also currently serving as the head coach of Islamabad United, a franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). His coaching role with Islamabad United has further polished his skills and helped him work with younger talents and experienced players alike.

With his deep understanding of the game, hands-on coaching experience, and passion for Pakistan cricket, Azhar Mahmood is expected to play a key role in shaping the red-ball team’s future.

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