Disappointed Azhar Mahmood bows out as Pakistan’s bowling coach with ‘dignity and pride’

Back in November 2016, Azhar Mahmood, the former Pakistan all-rounder, was appointed as the national team’s bowling coach for a two-year period. Prior to that, he also worked in short stints for the Men in Green and the short-term nature of stints were because he was contracted as a player for Surrey in England’s county cricket. His journey began with the Test series against New Zealand.

Later, his contract with Pakistan was extended until the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. After two years and nine months following his appointment, he is no longer with the Pakistan team. On August 2, the Pakistan Cricket Board committee met in Lahore. During the meeting which had Wasim Akram and Misbah-ul-Haq, it was decided that the coaching staff would undergo a revamp.

It meant that Mahmood, head coach Mickey Arthur and others had to bid goodbye. Meanwhile, Mahmood is a bit surprised as his omission has been termed as ‘sacking’ in the media. The same is because as per him the contract came to a natural conclusion after the mega event.

“It’s interesting and disappointing at the same time to see media reports of my departure from the role of bowling coach for Pakistan being described as ‘sacking’ when the truth is simply that I was initially hired by the PCB for a two-year contract which was recently extended up to the World Cup and that contract has reached its natural conclusion,” he wrote for Pak Passion.

We had made some good progress with the Pakistan side in all formats

Azhar Mahmood reckoned that he did his task with pride and dignity. However, he didn’t keep his disappointment to himself and spoke about it, saying that he had a decent stint with the bowling unit. Expressing his agony, Mahmood also mentioned that the Pakistan team was making good preparations for the 2020 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place next year in October.

Mahmood said that the PCB didn’t take into account the progress he made with the Pakistan team. “A further extension to the contract would have taken place based upon mutual understanding but as we know, the PCB for their own reasons have decided not to extend the contract which is their prerogative. To be clear, I have completed my tenure with dignity and pride.”

“Whilst the decision to not renew the contract is PCB’s alone, there is understandably some disappointment on my side for their decision, especially as I felt that we were all working really well with the team towards preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2020. In addition, we had made some good progress with the Pakistan side in all formats so to see all that not taken into account by the PCB does leave me a little sad,” he added.

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