Azhar Mahmood named Pakistan head coach amid red-ball shake-up

Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as Pakistan’s new red-ball head coach, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues restructuring its coaching hierarchy ahead of key Test and first-class fixtures this year.

Azhar has worked with Pakistan as the bowling coach (20162019) and as the temporary interim head coach during the 2024 T20I series against New Zealand, and is assuming a critical position in the red-ball staff of Pakistan.

With knowledge of the domestic and foreign players as well as experience as an assistant coach in the PSL, he would be a reliable blood in the stormy times of the Test programme in Pakistan.

Coaching carousel: stats & context

• The PCB has endured a turbulent two years, with six head coaches across formats since 2023, highlighting a lack of continuity (Aaqib Javed’s interim role now takes over after the exits of Jason Gillespie and others).
   
• According to Mahmood, Mahmood had been shortlisted alongside foreign candidates like Mike Hesson during the PCB’s late-spring coaching survey, but was initially omitted from white-ball assignments in May 2025.
   
• With Aaqib Javed now stepping down in the interim T20 and red-ball position, a transition in the approach becomes apparent as a result of the PCB returning to a local coach in the context of Test cricket.

Introducing Mahmood, Pakistan will be hoping to stabilise its performance in Tests as it faces a tough ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Known for his technical sharpness and strategic insight, he faces the task of rebuilding Pakistan’s red-ball identity and consistency, essential ahead of key series against teams ranging from Bangladesh to England and South Africa.

What lies ahead

• New coaching structure: Mahmood will lead Test operations, supported by local and internationally recruited assistants.
   
• Awaiting confirmation: PCB is expected to announce the full red-ball coaching team ahead of the home series against England and Bangladesh.
   
• Performance-based focus: Rebuilding Pakistan's Test performance in the WTC 2025-27 cycle, starting with the Bangladesh Tests in August, will be the first task that Mahmood will have.

The hiring of the Pakistani coach Azhar Mahmood is part of a trend of the country exploring domestic talent at the board level in an effort to provide some continuity but also renewal of thought. His history with his fast bowlers and his Test pedigree will serve as a great harbinger, but up until his WTC campaign, this aspect will be his real test.