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 is due in March 2026, and board officials want sufficient time to appoint a new head coach and restructure the support staff well in advance of the tour.
PCB Begins Search For New Coaching Setup
Sources indicate that the PCB has already begun the process of identifying a new head coach for the Test side, with possible changes also expected in the assistant coaching staff. Mahmood had been appointed last year on a two-year deal, replacing Aaqib Javed in the role.
Azhar Mahmood’s Playing And Coaching Background
The 50-year-old former all-rounder represented Pakistan in 21 Tests and 143 One-Day Internationals, scoring 900 Test runs with 39 wickets and taking 123 ODI wickets alongside 1,521 runs. He had been serving as an interim solution following the PCB’s split with Jason Gillespie earlier in 2024 over selection-related differences.
Busy Test Calendar Ahead For Pakistan
Under the ICC World Test Championship cycle, Pakistan will begin its Test engagements in March 2026 with a tour of Bangladesh, followed by visits to the West Indies in July and England in August–September. The team is also scheduled to host Sri Lanka in November–December 2026 and New Zealand in March 2027.
Women’s Team Coaching Review Also Underway
The PCB is simultaneously searching for a new head coach for the national women’s team after deciding not to renew Mohammad Wasim’s contract following the ICC Women’s World Cup earlier this year, signaling a wider reset in Pakistan cricket’s coaching structure.
