Latest news with #AzharMahmood
The Print
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Azhar Mahmood is Pakistan's 7th head coach in four years. ‘Another masterclass in failure'
Fifty-year-old Mahmood takes over from Aaqib Javed, who had assumed the role on an interim basis following Australian coach Jason Gillespie's sudden resignation. The announcement makes Mahmood the seventh person since 2021 to hold the position of head coach for Pakistan's Test team. According to the PCB, Mahmood brings 'a seasoned cricketing mind' and 'proven success in the English county circuit.' 'Azhar Mahmood is a useless coach, He has been sucking the blood of Pakistan talent for the last many decades now…,' a Pakistani X user Atif wrote . New Delhi: The revolving door in Pakistan cricket leadership continues to spin. In the latest reshuffle, the Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting head coach of the men's red-ball team. Pakistanis are angry. They see this as yet another downfall of Pakistan cricket. Most can't wait for the next 'masterclass in failure'. Pakistani cricket fans do not agree. They have accused Mahmood of repeatedly failing in coaching roles without contributing to player development or success. 'Azhar Mahmood – Interim Bowling Coach – 2016, Full-Time Bowling Coach – 2016–2019, Interim Head Coach (T20) – 2024, Assistant Coach – 2024, Interim Red-Ball Coach – 2025. Not a single bowler was developed or properly managed during all this time,' wrote Pakistani X user Junaiz. Others were more sarcastic: 'Death. Taxes. Azhar Mahmood PCB job,' X user Assad added. Meanwhile, sports journalist Shoaib Jatt questioned the PCB's decision. 'Wow, PCB's genius move: Azhar Mahmood, under whom Pakistan lost countless titles and suffered historic defeats as assistant coach, now promoted to head coach of the Test squad! Can't wait for the next masterclass in failure!' Also read: Maryam Nawaz brings new law to control publicity campaigns. Pakistanis call it 'peak fascism' A cricket board in disarray Since the resignation of Ehsan Mani in 2021, the PCB has been led by four different chairmen: Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and current chairman Mohsin Naqvi. This instability at the top has trickled down, creating a leadership vacuum that has affected every level of Pakistan cricket. 'Pakistan Cricket Board me es waqt musical chair se hi ohde mil rahe hain (In PCB right now, posts are being handed out like a game of musical chairs),' X user Yousaf wrote. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in particular, has been criticised for what many perceive as a personal and political style of governance. 'Shame on you Mohsin Naqvi! You are destroying Pakistan cricket's reputation… The whole world knows Azhar Mahmood is a total scam and the worst coach ever,' Usman Ali wrote on X. Pakistan cricket is also in the midst of a performance crisis. In Test cricket, Pakistan has managed just 14 wins and 18 losses in 38 matches over the past five years. The team finished last in the previous World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, despite playing series at home. They lost to South Africa and Bangladesh, but they managed a series win against England. Despite Mahmood's experience — 21 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan — and a respectable run in county cricket and the IPL (where he played as a British citizen), Mahmood's coaching stints have been marred by underperformance. His immediate challenge will be to prepare the team for its upcoming World Test Championship series against South Africa later this year. Pakistan has missed out on the WTC final three times in a row. For many fans, this is looking like yet another failed experiment. 'The reappointment of Azhar Mahmood as coach by Mohsin Naqvi is a slap in the face to all Pakistani cricket fans. PCB is stuck in a time warp,' wrote X user Hala Shah.
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
'Lack of seriousness': Kamran Akmal slams PCB's ‘illogical' decision to appoint Azhar Mahmood as interim Test coach
Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has come out against the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to appoint Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the national Test team, criticising the decision and saying it's 'illogical and reflective of poor management.' Mahmood will reportedly serve in the role 'until the conclusion of his current contract', likely until March 2026, after being appointed to the role of acting head coach of the Test team. He has been an assistant coach across all three formats since April 2024. Speaking on the YouTube show The Game Plan podcast, Akmal said, 'I just don't understand the logic behind this decision. It's exactly like the time PCB made Mickey Arthur director of cricket while allowing him to continue working with a county team. I couldn't understand it then, and I can't understand it now.' Azhar Mahmood is Pakistan's seventh Test head coach since 2021, succeeding Aaqib Javed, who took over from Jason Gillespie. Akmal blamed Pakistan cricket's ongoing decline on inconsistent decisions, claiming that these appointments have caused long-term problems. 'That role (Arthur's) has continued, and it has brought many issues into Pakistan cricket. The same thing is now happening with the interim coaching setup. Before this, it was Aaqib Javed, then Mohammad Hafeez and now Azhar.' 'These decisions reflect a lack of seriousness. When the PCB starts thinking seriously and acting professionally, it won't have to make such compromises or temporary appointments,' he added. Former Pakistan head coach Arthur returned to the side in 2023 as team director, allowing him to continue coaching Derbyshire in England while also working with Pakistan. Mahmood is not expected to continue as white-ball assistant coach while in charge of the Test team, and he was not part of the coaching staff in Pakistan's recent white-ball series with Bangladesh. 'Everyone has been appeased, and now Azhar has also been rewarded. If you've made him head coach, then give him the full time and responsibility. Otherwise, what's the point?' said Akmal.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Kamran Akmal criticised Azhar Mehmood's appointment as red-ball head coach
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has sharply criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for appointing Azhar Mahmood as interim head coach of the national Test team, calling the move illogical and reflective of poor management. Speaking on 'The Game Plan' YouTube podcast, Akmal said he was baffled by the rationale behind naming Mahmood to the post on a temporary basis. He likened the decision to the PCB's earlier controversial appointment of Mickey Arthur as director of cricket, despite his ongoing commitments with a county team. 'I just don't understand the logic behind this decision,' Akmal said. 'It's exactly like the time they made Mickey Arthur director of cricket while letting him continue elsewhere. I couldn't understand it then, and I can't understand it now.' Akmal argued that such short-term, inconsistent decisions have contributed to long-standing issues within Pakistan cricket. He cited a series of coaching changes—including Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Hafeez, and now Azhar Mahmood—as examples of the PCB's reactive approach. The former international urged the board to adopt a more professional and strategic mindset, warning that temporary fixes would only deepen structural problems. 'These decisions reflect a lack of seriousness,' he added. 'When the PCB starts thinking seriously and acting professionally, it won't have to make such compromises or temporary appointments.' Akmal also suggested that Mahmood's appointment seemed more about rewarding personal loyalty than building a stable coaching framework. He criticised what he described as a 'please-all' strategy and questioned the utility of naming a head coach without long-term responsibility. 'Everyone has been appeased, and now Azhar has also been rewarded,' he said. 'If you've made him head coach, then give him the full time and responsibility. Otherwise, what's the point?' The PCB has not yet commented on Akmal's remarks. Azhar Mahmood's appointment comes at a time when Pakistan's Test side is undergoing a transitional phase ahead of upcoming tours.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Azhar appointed acting red-ball head coach
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced appointment of Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan Men's team. Azhar will serve in this role until the conclusion of his current contract, a PCB spokesman, 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. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Azhar named as acting red-ball coach
Azhar Mahmood will serve in this role until the conclusion of his current contract in April 2026. Photo: AFP/File The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan Men's team. He will serve in this role until the conclusion of his current contract in April 2026. During this period, Pakistan is scheduled to play two Test series. In an official statement, the PCB highlighted Mahmood's extensive coaching and playing experience. "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," the PCB said in a press release. "His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, makes him exceptionally well-suited for this position." The PCB further noted Mahmood's in-depth understanding of the game, along with his international experience and proven track record in English county cricket. "His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titlesan achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen, and unwavering commitment to excellence," the statement added. The board expressed confidence in Mahmood's ability to lead the red-ball side, stating that under his guidance, the team is expected to grow in strength, discipline, and performance on the global stage. The 50-year-old signed a two-year contract with the PCB in April 2024 and had previously served as assistant coach. However, he was excluded from the coaching staff for the recent home T20I series against Bangladesh in May, which Pakistan won 3-0, following the appointment of Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach. Report indicate that Hesson, who has ties with Islamabad United, was reportedly looking to bring members of the franchise's coaching staff into the national setupprompting the PCB to temporarily sideline Mahmood. It is pertinent to mention that under Mahmood's coaching, Pakistan will begin their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 202527 campaign with a two-match Test series against South Africa in October-November. The national team will then tour Bangladesh for another two-match Test series as part of their WTC campaign in March-April 2026. For the unversed, former Australian all-rounder Jason Gillespie was appointed as Pakistan's red-ball head coach on April 28, 2024. After a 2-0 home loss to Bangladesh and a 2-1 win over England, he resigned citing PCB communication issues. Former fast bowler and 1992 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup winner Aaqib Javed took over the role following Gillespie's resignation. Skills Development camp The third and final phase of the Skills Development Camp, featuring 17 players, commenced on Monday at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed. Under the supervision of coaches, the players participated in fielding and fitness sessions on the opening day. Mohammad Naeem is expected to join the camp later this evening, while Ali Zaryab will report on July 2. This final phase of the camp will run until July 4. It is pertinent to mention that the second phase of the Skills Development Camp, which included 15 players, concluded on Saturday at the NCA. During that phase, players took part in rigorous fitness and fielding sessions from 6:00 am to 8:00 am, followed by skill-based sessions - including net practice - from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm at both the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground and the NCA, from Monday to Thursday. Participating Players: Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Fawad Ali, Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Suleman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Musa Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid Shah, Usman Khan and Waqar Ahmed.
