ISLAMABAD: Azhar Mahmood’s as Pakistan’s Test head coach has come to an end, after serving only one series in charge. Earning nearly $75,000 per month, Mahmood was among the country’s highest-paid cricket coaches.
The British-citizen former all-rounder had a long-standing contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). During the coaching tenures of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, he was promised that as deputy groom, he would eventually become head coach. However, delays in this appointment left him frustrated. Although a verbal assurance was given that he would be appointed Test coach, the formal announcement was delayed, raising concerns of potential legal action. PCB would have been required to pay six months’ salary if he had been dismissed prematurely, amounting to several crores of rupees.
Mahmood had declined the offer to work with the Under-19 team, and in late June, he was appointed interim Test coach. He took charge for the first time in October during the series against South Africa. Pakistan won the first Test by 93 runs but lost the second by eight wickets.
Sources confirm that the PCB has decided not to extend his contract, ending Mahmood’s tenure after just one series. In the new cycle of the World Test Championship, Pakistan is scheduled to play nine matches next year: two Tests against Bangladesh in March-April, a series in West Indies in July-August, three Tests in England during August-September, and two Tests at home against Sri Lanka in November.
It remains unclear whether the PCB will appoint a domestic or foreign coach for the upcoming assignments. Notably, when the mentor position was abolished, Misbah-ul-Haq was retained by the board and remains an option for future roles.
Currently, Azhar Mahmood is serving as the fast bowling coach for Desert Vipers in the UAE’s ILT20 tournament.
