PCB decides against extending Azhar’s contract

He was the head coach of Pakistan Test team for one series

DUBAI:

Azhar Mahmood’s journey with the Pakistan Test team has come to an end. He served as head coach for only one series. The PCB has decided not to extend the former all-rounder’s contract.
According to details, Azhar Mahmood — who earned around 7.5 million rupees per month in dollars — was among the most expensive local coaches. The former all-rounder, who holds British citizenship, had been associated with the board for quite some time. During the coaching tenures of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, he was told that after being groomed as an assistant, he would eventually be appointed head coach. When that didn’t happen, he became quite upset.
An official verbally assured him that he would be made Test coach, but when the announcement didn’t come, he grew concerned. The matter even seemed to be heading toward legal action. If the PCB had terminated him early, they would have had to pay six months’ salary — amounting to several crores of rupees. He had turned down an offer to work with the Under-19 team.
Eventually, in late June, he was appointed interim Test coach. In October, he took charge for the first time during the series against South Africa. Pakistan won the first Test by 93 runs but lost the second by eight wickets. Now, the PCB has decided not to extend his contract, ending Azhar’s tenure after just one series. Sources have confirmed this development.
In the new cycle of the World Test Championship, Pakistan is scheduled to play nine matches next year. The campaign will begin in March–April with two Tests against Bangladesh, followed by two Tests in the West Indies in July–August. In August–September, Pakistan will tour England for three Tests, while Sri Lanka will visit Pakistan in November for two Tests.
Before these crucial matches, it has not yet been decided who will be appointed as the new head coach — whether local or foreign. Since the team’s next match is three months away, this matter is not currently a top priority for the officials.
It should be noted that when the position of team mentor was abolished, Misbah-ul-Haq was not dismissed from the board; thus, his name remains an available option. Meanwhile, Azhar Mahmood is currently serving as the fast-bowling coach for the Desert Vipers in the UAE’s ILT20 league.