US EditionPCB Pulls Plug Early: Azhar Mahmood Released as Test Coach Months Before Contract End
Pakistan Cricket Board seeks a long-term head coach to improve Test team red-ball performance before the next ICC World Test Championship cycle, starting recruitment early.
- In Lahore, the Pakistan Cricket Board parted ways with Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan Test head coach, three months before his contract expired and began recruiting a new Test head coach.
- Appointed last year, Mahmood had a two-year contract, but with no Tests until March 2026, the PCB said it ended the deal early to find a long-term coach for the ICC World Test Championship cycle.
- Since early 2024, interim arrangements had featured Mahmood and Aaqib Javed after the PCB split with Jason Gillespie, while the board signalled wider staff changes by not renewing women's coach Muhammad Wasim's contract.
- Preparation for the March 2026 Bangladesh tour will involve reshuffles that shape planning for the 2026-27 home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, targeting improved Pakistan Test team performance.
- With no Tests until March 2026, starting now positions PCB to appoint a long-term coach ahead of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, with Pakistan's 2026-27 home slate against Sri Lanka and New Zealand raising stakes.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Drama in Pakistan Cricket again! Test head coach Azhar Mahmood sacked before contract ends
Even as 2025 is about to end, drama in Pakistan Cricket is not stopping. They have parted ways with their Test head coach, Azhar Mahmood, three months before his contract expired. With Pakistan not playing any Test until March 2026, PCB have time to find a new coach.
PCB Parts Ways With Azhar Mahmood Ahead Of Test Season Reset
Lagatar24 Desk Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to part ways with national Test team head coach Azhar Mahmood, releasing him three months before the completion of his contract as part of a broader coaching overhaul ahead of Pakistan’s next Test cycle. Early Exit Before Contract End Azhar Mahmood’s contract was scheduled to run until March 2026, but the PCB opted to terminate it ahead of time. Pakistan’s next Test assignment …
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