10 coaches in 5 years ft. Gary Kirsten

Pakistan cricket team have appointed formar all rounder Azhar Mahmood as Interim head coach for red ball cricket. Mahmood was part of Jason Gillespie’s coaching staff who quit the post late last year. The 50-year-old, a former Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) player, has a contract with PCB until 2026. He is the 10th coaching appointment Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have made since 2020.

Mahmood previously served as interim head coach in 2024, in Pakistan’s home T20I series against New Zealand. He will not be part of Mike Hesson’s white ball coaching staff. The former NZ coach took over as T20I and ODI coach in May.

Pakistan head coaches over the years

Pakistan have gone the way of split coaching in the past couple of years. Gary Kirsten was appointed as white ball head coach last year, with Jason Gillespie taking over the red ball formats. However, both coaches quit before the end of the year citing differences. Pakistan have not had a coach in red ball cricket since December, with Aaqib Javed filling for the series against South Africa and West Indies.

Mahmood’s first assignment will be the start of the new WTC cycle for Pakistan. The Men in Green have failed to make the finals or be in contention in either of the three cycles.