Former all-rounder Azhar Mehmood will take over as the interim head coach, replacing Aaqib Javed.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed another interim coach to fill the gap left by Aaqib Javed. Azhar Mehmood will now serve as the interim head coach of Pakistan’s Test team.
Azhar’s tenure as Test coach will last as long as his current PCB contract. During this period, Pakistan is scheduled to play two Test series at home—against South Africa in October and Sri Lanka in December-January.
By “current contract,” it refers to the role Azhar already held as assistant coach. In April 2024, he was given interim charge of the white-ball team’s head coach role. Since then, he has continued working as the assistant coach of the Test team.
Since Jason Gillespie resigned in December, Pakistan’s Test side has been without a permanent coach. Aaqib Javed took over as interim coach for the South Africa tour and the home series against West Indies.
Before leading the Test side, Aaqib had also been interim coach for Pakistan’s limited-overs teams. After Gary Kirsten stepped down in October last year, Aaqib held the position until recently. New Zealand’s Mike Hesson was appointed as white-ball head coach last month.
With Azhar’s new appointment, Aaqib no longer holds a coaching position with any national side.
Azhar Mehmood played 21 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan. Starting as a bowling all-rounder, he stunned everyone by scoring a century on his Test debut. He also scored centuries in his first two Tests abroad during the South Africa tour. His 132-run innings at Durban was even ranked among the top 10 Test innings of all time by Wisden.
Despite such promise early on, Azhar’s career didn’t reach great heights. Since retiring, he has been actively involved in coaching—working with the national team, PSL franchises, and other leagues. He has also been part of coaching staff for Surrey’s County Championship-winning teams twice.
