The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially appointed former cricketer Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the national team.

 

In an official statement, the PCB said: “A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience. Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team’s strategic core. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, make him exceptionally well-suited for this position.”

 

“His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles—an achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence. The PCB is confident that under Azhar’s guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline and performance on the global stage.”

 

Earlier reports suggested that the PCB was actively considering Mahmood's appointment to lead the Test side following Jason Gillespie’s resignation. Mahmood signed a two-year contract with the board in April 2024 and previously served as assistant coach for the national team.

 

However, after the PCB brought in Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach, Mahmood was left out of the coaching staff for the recent series against Bangladesh. With his contract still valid, the PCB has reassigned him to lead the Test squad.

 

Pakistan is set to play the upcoming Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh during the remainder of Mahmood’s contract, making his appointment significant for the red-ball setup.

 

It merits mention that Jason Gillespie, who was appointed red-ball head coach in April 2024, oversaw a 2-0 home series defeat against Bangladesh but guided the team to a 2-1 series win against England. Gillespie later resigned, citing internal communication issues within the PCB, particularly over not being informed about the removal of High-Performance Coach Tim Nielsen.

 

Following Gillespie’s resignation, Aqib Javed served as interim head coach for the two-match Test series against South Africa in Centurion and Cape Town, played from December 20, 2024, to January 7, 2025.