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PCB Wants Azhar Mahmood's Premature Termination; Held Back By Financial Challenge

Debashis Sarangi

Azhar Mahmood is Pakistan's interim red-ball coach [Source: @MuzamalDhother/X]Azhar Mahmood is Pakistan's interim red-ball coach [Source: @MuzamalDhother/X]

According to emerging reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen to relieve Azhar Mahmood of coaching duties before his contract officially expires in April-May next year. However, the board has apparently been forced to retain him as the national team's red-ball coach, as his premature termination could result in a financial loss. 

Azhar Mahmood's Contract Termination Could Put PCB In Huge Loss

After legendary Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie stepped down as Pakistan's head coach in Tests, the PCB replaced him with Azhar Mahmood. The former all-rounder joined Pakistan's Test setup as the interim red-ball coach in June 2025. 

For the unversed, Mahmood has been contracted to serve as Pakistan's coach until April-May next year. However, as per a report by the Press Trust of India, the PCB is apparently dissatisfied with his performance and considers sacking him before the official termination of his contract. 

The report also claims that Azhar Mahmood is not one of the shortlisted candidates whom Pakistan's white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, wants as his support staff. 

The PCB is already paying Mahmood a handsome salary of PKR 7.5 million per month; therefore, given that he hasn't quite lived up to expectations, the board has decided to bid him farewell through premature contract termination. 

However, the PCB faces a challenging situation, as such a move will lead it to a huge financial loss. According to the report, if the board abruptly terminates Mahmood's contract, it'll have to pay him USD 160,000(INR 1.8 Crores) as compensation. 

"The problem arose when Mike Hesson, the recently-appointed white-ball head coach made it clear he would have his own support staff and Azhar was not among his selections," the source was quoted as saying by PTI. 
"This left the PCB with a major problem of how to utilise Azhar’s expertise to justify paying him such a handsome salary, as even if they wanted they couldn't release him without the six months of compensation," he added. 

PCB has recently undergone a comprehensive overhaul, with several ex-cricketers and administrators assuming key positions. The musical chair at the management level has brought disastrous consequences, affecting Pakistan's on-field performance across formats. 

[With Inputs From PTI]