- By Himanshu Badola
- Tue, 30 Dec 2025 02:43 PM (IST)
- Source:PTI
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has parted ways with the national Test team head coach Azhar Mahmood three months before the expiry of his contract, as the drama of switching office bearers and team management continues amid the concerning on-field form of the players as well.
The contract of Mahmood, a former Test all-rounder, runs until March 2026, but he has been given an early release. Pakistan's next Test assignment isn't until March 2026. "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 was quoted by PTI as saying.
ALSO READ: England Announces 15-member Provisional Squad For T20 World Cup 2026
Mahmood, who has taken up different positions in the national team in the last few years, had a two-year contract running with the Board. He was named head coach of the Test side last year. The report said that the PCB has now started the search for a new head coach of the Test side, and there could be an overhaul of the support staff as well.
ALSO READ: Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Or Dhruv Jurel? India’s Wicketkeeper Conundrum For New Zealand ODIs
Pakistan's assignments in the ICC World Test Championship start in March 2026 with a tour of Bangladesh, followed by tours to the 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 Muhammad Wasim's contract was not renewed after the ICC World Cup in September-October.
Pakistan, who are being captained by the star batter Shan Masood in the Test format, haven't been able to win in any of their last three series. They suffered a 0-2 defeat in South Africa before playing out a 1-1 draw each in the Test series against the West Indies and South Africa at home.