Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it has appointed former international all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting head coach of the men red-ball side. It is an important move at a moment when the Test cricket in Pakistan has been struggling with performance as well as leadership punctualities. Having a good playing and coaching experience behind him, Azhar Mahmood enters into the scene with a determined mission and the anticipation of bringing some balance to the game to the retro version of it.
Why the Change was Needed
In the last several years, the red-ball team in Pakistan has experienced change in coaching roster. It is like everything tried and tested everything. They have had foreign coaches and have tried home grown; the PCB has explored all avenues to fit the right hand to the helm of the PCBs test team. The results have not been encouraging though with regards to the field. It came into realization that a stable and an experienced cricket-smart person had to come in the picture to take charge and sometimes with a drought of success and a total lack of cohesion and long-term planning there was just a series of losses. That is where Azhar Mahmood finds a place.
Azhar Mahmood-The Coach and the Player
Azhar Mahmood is a successful international cricket player and played Tests and ODI matches as a reliable all-rounder of Pakistan. Upon his retirement he easily made the transition into coaching. He has worked with the best world teams and franchises, some of which he had served as a bowling coach to Pakistan. It is also worth mentioning that his coaching career includes proven success in English county cricket, where he helped teams win two County Championship trophies. Such a mixed experience of both international coaching and domestic coaching places him in a special advantage.
A PCB Strategic Appointment
Not only has Azhar Mahmood been yielding results in the past, but also has been the reason as to why PCB chose him. Red-ball cricket involves another way of thinking as opposed to white-ball cricket. Leading a team requires patience, discipline, and long-term vision and Azhar is known to possess all three. His sober nature, analytical skills, and strong bond with the team from his previous stint make him a natural choice to lead the side, whether in the short term or the long term.
Enhancement of the Red-Ball Format
In the recent past, things have been an up and down in test cricket in Pakistan. It has shown some glimpses of brilliance but the issue is the absence of consistency. The promotion of Azhar Mahmood is an indication that PCB is now ready to invest into red-ball cricket. The board wants to create the base of a long-term success by appointing a person who not only is familiar with the format and knows it well, but also who respects its traditions. Inclusion of red-ball competencies, particularly at the younger age, will form one of his functions.
What Azhar Does on the Dressing Room
Azhar Mahmood is well established in his capability to relate to the players at a personal level. His technical knowledge together with his friendly personality make him a mentor rather than a coach. His style of communication and clarity of planning have received applause on several occasions by players. Such characters are priceless during a Test match atmosphere, in which the sessions run a long time and whose pressure atmosphere is immense on mind. He is determined to introduce structure, develop match temperament, and instill a fighting spirit in the team.
Lessons in the County Cricket Success
Perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments that Azhar made in his career as a coach, is in England County cricket. It is not easy to win any County Championship, sometimes considered a tactical format of the game. His experience of the English conditions, his love of seam-friendly wickets and his approach to long form cricket should prove an advantage to Pakistan in Test match cricket, especially when touring abroad. Such lessons will be very instrumental in helping Pakistan fix their inconsistent overseas record in Test cricket.
Little-Job, Big-Hopes
The appointment of Azhar Mahmood is not permanent yet as he will only stay till the expiry of his current contract. Generally speaking, however there is an optimism that well provided things go according to plan his term may extend. The PCB is not closing the doors to his leadership but there is a good prospect in his leadership. Short term objectives will include ensuring that he stabilizes the team, enhances the performances of players and has a good dressing room environment. When and should he succeed, there is every possibility that he would turn out to be a red-ball coaching long-term solution.
Fan and Expert Responses
The news has been received positively by the Pakistani cricket fans and analysts. Most people consider it a move towards the right direction considering speculation that has shrouded the coaching arrangement at the team. The optimism among the supporters as regards social media response is high and people believe that Azhar will bring sanity and competitive edge required in the Pakistan Test team. Experts have projected his composed demeanor, excellent knowledge of the sport, and close rapport with the players as key factors that could transform the team’s fortunes.
Conclusion
The appointment of Azhar Mahmood to the role of acting head coach of the red-ball team comes along with a defining moment in the Pakistan cricket. The team possesses talent yet there is no orientation in the Test scheme. This move may be the needed turning point of the national team due to the vast experience, strategy, and cool-minded leadership of Azhar. Although the fact that his role is temporary is currently the case, the changes he can bring might create a basis of a much more secure and strengthened Test squad in the future. The players and fans hope to usher in a new phase in red-ball cricket, strengthened by experience, discipline, and intelligent leadership.
