The Pakistanian cricket council (PCB) eagerly publishes the former versatile Azhar Mahmood from his coaching staff, but the contract signed under the previous management turns out to be a restriction. Last month, Mahmood was named the reigning head coach of the men’s team with a red ball after Jason Gillespie resigned in April 2024 for just eight months after his term.
Sources show that PCB pays Mahmood a monthly salary of approximately 7.5 million PKR. If it is released before the contract, it will be asked to pay the compensation of 450 million ($ 160,000).
“Therefore, PCB recently appointed him as a temporary head coach of the national team Red-ball until his contract follows next year in April,” said the initiate, as the PTI quoted.
Also read: Bangladesh vs Pakistan T20i Series Live Streaming: Squads and all you need to know
When Mahmood was named as a reigning coach, his first task was the test series of two matches against South Africa at home, scheduled for October this year.
This problem arose when the White Ball coach Mike Hesson said to have Azhara on the coaching staff was not part of his plans.
“The problem arose when Mike Hesson, the recently named White Ball coach, showed that he would have his own support staff and Azhar was not between his selections.
“This left the PCB with a big problem to use Azhar’s expertise to justify the payment of such a nice salary, because even if they wanted to be unable to release him without six months of compensation,” the initiate added.
He previously worked as a Pakistani bowling coach from 2016 to 2019. In 2024 he worked as a head coach during the T20i series against New Zealand.
Mahmood also worked as a bowling coach for both Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans in Pakistan’s Super League (PSL) and also served as the head coach Islamabad United.
Pakistan is the next planned to face Bangladesh in the series of three T20i matches, starting on June 20 at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium.
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Published:
Sabyasachi Chowdhury
Published on:
19 July 2025
