Azhar Mahmood Appointed Interim Head Coach of Pakistan Test Team

Lahore – June 30, 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the national Test team, marking a key move in the board’s ongoing restructuring of its coaching system.

The 49-year-old will lead Pakistan’s red-ball squad until his current contract expires. This decision follows the departure of former head coaches Jason Gillespie and Aqib Javed, under whom Azhar Mahmood had previously served as assistant coach.

The appointment is seen as a step towards stabilizing the Test side, especially after Pakistan’s poor finish in the last World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. PCB officials hope Mahmood’s experience will help guide a rebuilding team through a more consistent and disciplined phase.

Azhar Mahmood brings vast experience both on and off the field. He represented Pakistan in 21 Test matches and 143 ODIs between 1996 and 2007, known for his gritty performances and dependable seam bowling. After retirement, he transitioned into coaching, holding positions with the Pakistan national team and multiple international franchise leagues, including roles in the PSL and IPL.

His first assignment as interim head coach will be Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa at home, scheduled for October 2025. This gives him a few months to prepare the squad and implement his strategies.

With Mike Hesson already named as the head of Pakistan’s white-ball setup, the PCB has now completed a dual-coach model, separating responsibilities for Test and limited-overs formats. The board believes this approach will bring format-specific focus and long-term development.

While Mahmood’s role is currently temporary, PCB sources suggest his performance during the South Africa series could influence future decisions on a permanent red-ball coaching appointment.