The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the premature conclusion of Azhar Mahmood's stint as the national team's Test coach. His interim role, which began in April for the home series against New Zealand, has now ended following the recent Test series against England.
Interim Tenure Comes to a Close
Azhar Mahmood was initially appointed as the head coach for the entire Pakistan men's team on an interim basis in April. This appointment covered all three formats of the game. However, his specific role as the Test coach concluded after the two-match series against England in October. The PCB has now formally announced the end of this assignment.
The board's decision aligns with its earlier restructuring plans for the coaching staff. In April, alongside Mahmood's interim appointment, the PCB had already signalled a future split-coaching model. They had named Gary Kirsten as the white-ball coach and Jason Gillespie as the red-ball (Test) coach, with both set to take up their positions from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and the subsequent two-match Test series against Bangladesh, respectively.
Background and Coaching Reshuffle
Mahmood's interim promotion came after a major shake-up within the team management. The PCB had dismissed the entire coaching staff led by former head coach Grant Bradburn and team director Mohammad Hafeez following a disappointing T20 World Cup 2022 and a Test tour of Australia. This clearing of the decks paved the way for Mahmood to step into the top role temporarily.
During his brief tenure as the all-format interim coach, Mahmood oversaw Pakistan's home series against a second-string New Zealand team. The series ended in a 2-2 draw. His final assignment in the Test capacity was the recent series against England, which Pakistan lost 0-2 at home.
Looking Ahead: The Kirsten-Gillespie Era
With Mahmood's red-ball duties now over, the path is clear for the PCB's long-term appointments to assume control. Gary Kirsten, the former South African batter and World Cup-winning coach with India, will take charge of the limited-overs teams. His first major challenge will be the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
On the other hand, Jason Gillespie, the former Australian fast bowler, is slated to lead the Test side starting with the series against Bangladesh. This split-coaching strategy is a clear departure from Pakistan's traditional single-head-coach model and reflects a modern, specialized approach to team management.
The PCB has not yet announced any new role for Azhar Mahmood following the conclusion of his Test coaching responsibilities. His future involvement with the national team setup remains uncertain as the board transitions to its new, permanent coaching structure under Kirsten and Gillespie.
