Azhar Mahmood Explained

Azhar Mahmood
Birth Date:28 February 1975
Birth Place:Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Height:6 ft 1 in[1]
Batting:Right-handed
Bowling:Right-arm medium-fast
Role:All-rounder
Country:Pakistan
International:true
Internationalspan:1996–2007
Testdebutdate:6 October
Testdebutyear:1997
Testdebutagainst:South Africa
Testcap:146
Lasttestagainst:England
Lasttestdate:31 May
Lasttestyear:2001
Odidebutdate:16 September
Odidebutyear:1996
Odidebutagainst:India
Odicap:108
Lastodidate:17 March
Lastodiyear:2007
Lastodiagainst:Ireland
Club1:Islamabad
Club2:United Bank Limited
Year2:1995/96–1996/97
Club3:Rawalpindi
Year3:1998/99–2004/05
Club4:PIA
Year4:1999/00–2001/02
Club5:Surrey
Year5:2002–2007; 2013–2016
Club6:Habib Bank Limited
Year6:2006/07–2010/11
Club7:Islamabad Leopards
Year7:2006/07–2010/11
Club8:Kent
Year8:2008–2012
Club9:Auckland
Year9:2011/12–2012/13
Club10:Dhaka Gladiators
Year10:2012
Club11:Kings XI Punjab
Year11:2012–2013
Club12:Sydney Thunder
Year12:2012/13
Club13:Barisal Burners
Year13:2013
Club14:Cape Cobras
Year14:2013
Club15:Barbados Tridents
Year15:2013
Club16:Kolkata Knight Riders
Year16:2015
Club17:Islamabad United
Year17:2016
Columns:4
Column1:Test
Matches1:21
Runs1:900
Bat Avg1:30.00
100S/50S1:3/1
Top Score1:136
Deliveries1:3,015
Wickets1:39
Bowl Avg1:35.94
Fivefor1:0
Tenfor1:0
Best Bowling1:4/50
Catches/Stumpings1:14/–
Column2:ODI
Matches2:143
Runs2:1,521
Bat Avg2:18.10
100S/50S2:0/3
Top Score2:67
Deliveries2:6,242
Wickets2:123
Bowl Avg2:39.13
Fivefor2:3
Tenfor2:0
Best Bowling2:6/18
Catches/Stumpings2:37/–
Column3:FC
Matches3:176
Runs3:7,703
Bat Avg3:31.83
100S/50S3:9/42
Top Score3:204
Deliveries3:29,798
Wickets3:611
Bowl Avg3:25.10
Fivefor3:27
Tenfor3:3
Best Bowling3:8/61
Catches/Stumpings3:142/–
Column4:LA
Matches4:319
Runs4:4,555
Bat Avg4:22.00
100S/50S4:2/19
Top Score4:101
Deliveries4:13,952
Wickets4:348
Bowl Avg4:31.37
Fivefor4:5
Tenfor4:0
Best Bowling4:6/18
Catches/Stumpings4:95/–
Date:22 January
Year:2016
Source:http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/39024.html ESPNcricinfo

Azhar Mahmood (اظہر محمود ساگر; born 28 February 1975) is a Pakistani cricket coach and former cricketer. He was the bowling coach of the Pakistani national cricket team from 2016 to 2019. He was a part of the Pakistan squad which finished as runners-up at the 1999 Cricket World Cup.

Previously, he played Tests and ODIs for Pakistan national cricket team and county cricket in England. Azhar is a dual British citizen.

Personal life

Azhar Mahmood's wedding ceremony was held in 2003.

Domestic career

As a teenager, Azhar was mentored by Irfan Bhatti who played a One Day International for Pakistan in the early 1990s. Originally his father objected to his interest in cricket, but later started to appreciate it seeing his accomplishments. When not doing net practice, Azhar would fancy himself playing tape ball cricket on the cemented pitch in the cricket ground in front of his home.

He played county cricket for Surrey and in November 2007 signed a two-year deal to play for Kent.

Azhar became a British citizen in 2011.[2] This allowed him to play for Kent as an English-qualified player, further distancing himself from a recall to the Pakistan side.

It was announced that Azhar would be playing for the Auckland Aces as one of their overseas professionals in the 2011/12 season.[3] In the 2012 IPL auction, Mahmood was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $200,000, double his base price of $100,000. In 2015, he was signed by KKR as replacement for James Neesham and played a few matches but was dropped from the squad the very next season.[4]

He along with Isuru Udana set the highest 8th wicket partnership in all forms of T20s (120) during the inaugural SLPL league in 2012.[5] [6]

International career

Early days

Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996 at Toronto Cricket Club, Toronto, but did not gain major recognition until his Test debut against South Africa the following year at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi when he hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed. He later went on to score two more centuries against the South Africans.

He joined the Pakistani team primarily as a medium pacer but he has surprised many by his batting powers. His hard hitting but orthodox batting skills have also been extremely useful in the one-day game. Unlike most Pakistani pacers who are swing bowlers, he is a useful English-style seam bowler, who can chip in with wickets in time of need.

In 2000, Lt-General Tauqir Zia, then the PCB chairman, said that the board would choose the next captain – not based on seniority alone – and if people find the choice unacceptable they will not be selected. Later – in front of some senior players – he told Azhar Mahmood that he will be the next Pakistan captain. Together they would plan the future strategy. But until now this never came to pass.

Comeback

He was recalled to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007, but subsequently dropped when the 2007 Cricket World Cup team was announced. He was however recalled to go with the squad to the West Indies after a knee injury to Abdul Razzaq. It was Mahmood's 3rd World Cup.

However, aside from playing in a practice match, Azhar did not get a chance to participate in the World Cup and Pakistan's early exit from the tournament meant that he was once again, in line for being axed from the national squad. Following his exclusion, Azhar returned to playing county cricket in UK. Over the years, due to his constant exclusion from the Pakistani squad and the fact that he has crossed the 30-year-old mark, it seems that Mahmood is not as interested in returning to the Pakistani line up as he once was. His weight gain, mediocre performances in ODIs, combined with the tough competition for the all rounder slot in the Pakistani line up meant that his chances for making a return to the national squad were very limited. He has previously signed with the defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) and had been released from his central contract.

Trivia

Wisden in 2001 included Azhar Mahmood's innings of 132 for Pakistan against South Africa at Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban in 1997–98[7] as the 8th best Test Innings of All Time in its list of Wisden 100. It mentioned – "South Africa's pace attack had more depth than at any other time in their history: Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock supported by Fanie de Villiers and Lance Klusener. No surprise that Pakistan were put in to bat on a treacherous pitch – or that they should be reduced to 89 for 5. Salvation came in the form of a 22-year-old allrounder who seemed to be batting too low at No.7: his century was already his third in six Test innings against South Africa. Tucking into a great pace bowler like Donald, he scored 96 runs in boundaries while proving himself an expert shepherd of a tail: he made 90% of Pakistan's last 106 runs. They went on to win a low-scoring match by 29."[8]

Coaching career

In November 2016, Mahmood was appointed bowling coach of the Pakistan side.[9] Earlier the same year, he had served two short stints in a similar capacity, also for the national team. He left the role in August 2019 when his contract was not extended.[10]

Mahmood also served as the bowling coach of two PSL Franchises Karachi Kings & Multan Sultans.

On 3 December 2021, Mahmood has appointed by Islamabad United as the head coach for their 7th season of PSL.[11] Ahead of the 2024 season, Mahmood left his role as head coach and was appointed Islamabad's bowling coach.[12] [13] On 9 April 2024, Mahmood was appointed Pakistan's head coach for their series against New Zealand.[14] [15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile. Sportskeeda. 30 January 2021.
  2. Web site: A bright first impression.
  3. Web site: Auckland Aces take title in style. ESPNcricinfo. 22 January 2012. 21 July 2011.
  4. Web site: IPL 2012 auction: Who was sold to whom. ESPNcricinfo. 4 February 2012. 20 April 2012.
  5. News: Records. Twenty20 matches. Partnership records. Highest partnerships by wicket . ESPNcricinfo. 2017-05-04.
  6. News: 1st Semi Final: Wayamba United v Uva Next at Colombo (RPS), Aug 28, 2012. Cricket Scorecard . ESPNcricinfo. 2017-05-04.
  7. Web site: Pakistan in South Africa Test Series – 2nd Test. ESPNcricinfo. 26 February 1998. 20 April 2012.
  8. Web site: Top 10 Test Innings of all time . . Wisden 2001 . 1 March 2018.
  9. Web site: Azhar Mahmood appointed Pakistan bowling coach. 2016-11-02. ESPNcricinfo. en. 2019-01-28.
  10. Web site: No new contracts for Mickey Arthur & Co as PCB plans post-World Cup overhaul . ESPNcricinfo . 20 October 2023 . 7 August 2019.
  11. Web site: Islamabad United name Azhar Mahmood as head coach . ESPNcricinfo . 20 October 2023 . 2 December 2021.
  12. Web site: Mike Hesson appointed Islamabad United head coach . 2024-04-09 . ESPNcricinfo . en.
  13. Web site: Ahmed . Faiz . 7 March 2024 . Azhar Mahmood Wants Coach and Captain to Be Mic’d Up During PSL Matches . ProPakistani.
  14. Web site: icc . 2024-04-09 . New head coach as Pakistan make team management shuffles for New Zealand series . 2024-04-09 . www.icc-cricket.com . en.
  15. Web site: 2024-04-08 . PCB announces Pakistan coaching staff for New Zealand T20I series . 2024-04-09 . cricketpakistan.com.pk . en.