The Pakistan men's cricket team's support staff is in a never-ending game of musical chairs. Azhar Mahmood was formally named the interim red-ball coach by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday. After a long tenure as the bowling and assistant coach of the men's team, the former Pakistan all-rounder assumes the new position.

Azhar Mahmood will remain in the position of acting Test coach till his existing contract expires. At the age of 50, he succeeds Aaqib Javed as the Test coach.

After disagreements with Javed and the PCB, Jason Gillespie resigned as the interim Pakistan Test coach, and Aaqib Javed took over.

Azhar Mahmood enters the position with a remarkable background in cricket thinking, "A seasoned cricketing mind." Azhar has been a key member of the team's strategic core for a long time, having previously held the position of assistant head coach for the national team. The PCB stated in an official statement that his extensive understanding of the sport, practical experience on the international stage, and demonstrable accomplishments in the English county circuit make him ideally qualified for this role.

Two County Championship victories, which demonstrate his leadership, tactical prowess, and steadfast dedication to perfection, highlight his pedigree in red-ball cricket. In Azhar's direction, the red-ball team will keep improving in strength, discipline, and performance on the international stage, the PCB is confident, the statement said.

Mahmood's initial task as Test coach

Prior to their forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC) match against South Africa, Mahmood's top priority as the Test coach will be to prepare the team.

Later this year, the Proteas will go to Pakistan for a two-game Test series. Pakistan has twice failed to reach the WTC final in a row.

Pakistan ended up at the bottom of the rankings in the previous WTC cycle. The hosts beat England at home, but they fell to Bangladesh in the series.

The away series against South Africa was another loss for Pakistan.

Earlier, Gary Kirsten had resigned as Pakistan's white-ball coach as well. "It was a tumultuous few months. I realized quite quickly I wasn't going to have much of an influence. It became really challenging as a coach to have any kind of constructive impact on the group once I was removed from selection and told to lead a team without being able to influence it, Kirsten informed Wisden.

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