NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to end its association with national Test team head coach Azhar Mahmood, releasing him three months before his contract was due to expire, sources have revealed.
Mahmood, a former Pakistan all-rounder, was contracted until March 2026 but has been granted an early exit. Pakistan are not scheduled to play another Test match until March next year, making the timing of the decision notable.
"Since Azhar's contract ends in March and Pakistan's Test assignments begin from March 2026, it would be best for the Board to start planning ahead for a new head coach," a reliable source close to the Board said.
Mahmood, who has served the national side in various roles over the past few years, was on a two-year contract with the board and was appointed head coach of the Test team last year.
Sources added that the PCB has begun the process of identifying a new Test head coach, with the possibility of a wider shake-up in the support staff also being considered.
Pakistan's assignments in the ICC World Test Championship start in March 2026 with a tour of Bangladesh followed by tours to West Indies in July and England in August-September.
In November-December 2026 and March 2027, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
The Test side has had interim coaches in Aaqib Javed and Mahmood ever since the PCB and Australian Jason Gillispie parted ways in early 2024 because of differences over selection matters.
The PCB is also on the lookout for a head coach for the national women's team as Mohammad Wasim's contract was not renewed after the ICC World Cup in September-October.
(With PTI Inputs)
