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{{Short description|Pakistani cricket coach and former cricketer}}
{{about||the Pakistan Navy officer|Azhar Mahmood (rear admiral)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Azhar Mahmood
| image = Azhar Mahmood.jpg
| caption = Azhar Mahmood in 2015
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|2|28|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Rawalpindi]], [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], Pakistan
| height = 6 ft<ref name="SurreyAzharMahmood">{{Cite web
|title=Azhar Mahmood – player profile
|url=http://www.surreycricket.com/team/player-profiles/azhar-mahmood,9,PP.html
|website=[[Surrey County Cricket Club]]
|publisher=Surrey CCC
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060327091711/http://www.surreycricket.com/team/player-profiles/azhar-mahmood,9,PP.html
|archive-date=27 March 2006
|url-status=dead
|access-date=22 September 2025
}}</ref>
| 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 cricket team|Islamabad]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|1993/94–2006/07}}
| club2 = [[United Bank Limited cricket team|United Bank Limited]]
| year2 = 1995/96–1996/97
| club3 = [[Rawalpindi cricket team|Rawalpindi]]
| year3 = 1998/99–2004/05
| club4 = [[Pakistan International Airlines cricket team|PIA]]
| year4 = 1999/00–2001/02
| club5 = [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]]
| year5 = 2002–2007; 2013–2016
| club6 = [[Habib Bank Limited cricket team|Habib Bank Limited]]
| year6 = 2006/07–2010/11
| club7 = [[Islamabad Leopards]]
| year7 = 2006/07–2010/11
| club8 = [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]]
| year8 = 2008–2012
| club9 = [[Auckland cricket team|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 cricket|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 = [[One Day International|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 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3 = 176
| runs3 = 7,703
| bat avg3 = 31.83
| 100s/50s3 = 9/42
| top score3 = 204[[not out|*]]
| deliveries3 = 29,798
| wickets3 = 611
| bowl avg3 = 25.10
| fivefor3 = 27
| tenfor3 = 3
| best bowling3 = 8/61
| catches/stumpings3 = 142/–
| column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4 = 319
| runs4 = 4,555
| bat avg4 = 22.00
| 100s/50s4 = 2/19
| top score4 = 101[[not out|*]]
| deliveries4 = 13,952
| wickets4 = 348
| bowl avg4 = 31.37
| fivefor4 = 5
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 6/18
| catches/stumpings4 = 95/–
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry |{{PAK}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999 England-Wales<br/>-Ireland-Scotland-Netherlands]]|}}
| date = 22 January
| year = 2016
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/39024.html ESPNcricinfo
}}
'''Azhar Mahmood Sagar''' ({{langx|pnb|اظہر محمود ساگر}}; born 28 February 1975) is a Pakistani cricket coach and former [[cricket]]er. He was the bowling coach of the [[Pakistan national cricket team]] from 2016 to 2019. He was a part of the Pakistan squad which finished as [[1999 Cricket World Cup final|runners-up]] at the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]].

Previously, he played Tests and ODIs for the Pakistan national team and county cricket in [[England]]. Azhar is a dual [[United Kingdom|British]] citizen.<ref name="A bright first impression"/>

== Personal life==
Azhar Mahmood's wedding ceremony was held in 2003.

== Cricket career ==

=== Domestic career ===
As a teenager, Azhar was mentored by [[Irfan Bhatti (cricketer, born 1964)|Irfan Bhatti]] who played a [[One Day International]] for [[Pakistani cricket team|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.<ref name="Azhar">{{citation|title=Azhar Mahmood|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/39024.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref>

He played [[county cricket]] for [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]]<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/countycricket/content/story/268705.html|title=Surrey sign Matthew Nicholson|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=17 November 2006|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref> and in November 2007 signed a two-year deal to play for [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]].<ref name="Azhar Mahmood joins Kent">{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/321632.html|title=Azhar Mahmood joins Kent|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 November 2007|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref>

Azhar became a [[British citizen]] in 2011.<ref name="A bright first impression">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/content/story/566359.html|title=A bright first impression}}</ref> This allowed him to play for Kent as an English-qualified player, further distancing himself from a recall to the Pakistan team.<ref name="Azhar Mahmood joins Kent" />

It was announced that Azhar would be playing for the [[Auckland Aces]] as one of their overseas professionals in the 2011/12 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/hrv-cup-2011/content/story/550452.html|title=Auckland Aces take title in style|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 January 2012|access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> 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 [[Kolkata Knight Riders|KKR]] as replacement for [[James Neesham]] and played a few matches but was dropped from the squad the next season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/content/current/story/552053.html|title=IPL 2012 auction: Who was sold to whom|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 February 2012|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref>

He along with [[Isuru Udana]] set the then highest 8th wicket partnership in all forms of T20s (120) during the inaugural [[Sri Lanka Premier League|SLPL]] league in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/305252.html|title=Records. Twenty20 matches. Partnership records. Highest partnerships by wicket |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2017-05-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/571374.html|title=1st Semi Final: Wayamba United v Uva Next at Colombo (RPS), Aug 28, 2012. Cricket Scorecard |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2017-05-04}}</ref>

=== International career ===

==== Early days ====
Azhar made his One-Day International debut against [[Indian national cricket team|India]] in 1996 at [[Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club|Toronto Cricket Club]], [[Toronto]],<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66030.html|title=Sahara 'Friendship' Cup – 1st ODI|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=16 September 1996|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref> but did not gain major recognition until his [[Test cricket|Test]] debut against [[South African cricket team|South Africa]] the following year at [[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]], [[Rawalpindi]] when he hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63766.html|title=South Africa in Pakistan Test Series – 1st Test|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=6 October 1997|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref> He later went on to score two more centuries against the South Africans.

He joined the Pakistani team as a medium [[pacer]] and has also played as a lower-order batsman in One Day International (ODI) cricket. Unlike many Pakistani [[swing bowlers]], he bowls as a [[seam bowler]].<ref name=Azhar/>

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 this never came to pass.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/521388.html|title='I'm always available for Pakistan'|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=12 November 2006|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref>

==== Comeback ====
He was recalled to the national team for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007,<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/rsavpak/content/story/278948.html|title=Azhar Mahmood recalled by Pakistan|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=5 February 2007|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref> 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 (cricketer)|Abdul Razzaq]]. It was Mahmood's 3rd World Cup.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wc2007/content/story/280417.html|title=Mahmood added to World Cup reserves|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 February 2007|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/342292.html|title=ICL-county situation as clear as mud|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=13 March 2008|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref>

==== Trivia ====
''[[Wisden]]'' in 2001 included Azhar Mahmood's innings of 132 for [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] against [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] at [[Kingsmead Cricket Ground]], [[Durban]] in 1997–98<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63790.html|title=Pakistan in South Africa Test Series – 2nd Test|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 February 1998|access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Top 10 Test Innings">{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2001/jul/30bat10.htm | title=Top 10 Test Innings of all time | publisher=[[rediff.com]] | work=Wisden 2001 | access-date=1 March 2018}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
In November 2016, Mahmood was appointed bowling coach of the Pakistan team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/17951099/azhar-mehmood-appointed-pakistan-bowling-coach|title=Azhar Mahmood appointed Pakistan bowling coach|date=2016-11-02|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=No new contracts for Mickey Arthur & Co as PCB plans post-World Cup overhaul |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/no-new-contracts-for-mickey-arthur-co-as-pcb-plans-post-world-cup-overhaul-1196903 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=20 October 2023 |date=7 August 2019}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islamabad United name Azhar Mahmood as head coach |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/islamabad-united-name-azhar-mahmood-as-head-coach-1292029 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=20 October 2023 |date=2 December 2021}}</ref> Ahead of the 2024 season, Mahmood left his role as head coach and was appointed Islamabad's bowling coach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Hesson appointed Islamabad United head coach |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/psl-2024-mike-hesson-appointed-islamabad-united-head-coach-1407847 |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Faiz |date=7 March 2024 |title=Azhar Mahmood Wants Coach and Captain to Be Mic'd Up During PSL Matches |url=https://propakistani.pk/2024/03/07/azhar-mahmood-wants-coach-and-captain-to-be-micd-up-during-psl-matches/ |website=ProPakistani}}</ref> In April 2024, Mahmood was appointed Pakistan's head coach for their [[New Zealand cricket team in Pakistan in 2024|series against New Zealand]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=icc |date=2024-04-09 |title=New head coach as Pakistan make team management shuffles for New Zealand series.|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/new-head-coach-as-pakistan-make-team-management-shuffles-for-new-zealand-series |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-08 |title=PCB announces Pakistan coaching staff for New Zealand T20I series |url=https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/news/detail/pcb-announces-pakistan-coaching-staff-for-new-zealand-t20i-series |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=cricketpakistan.com.pk |language=en}}</ref> In June 2025, Azhar Mahmood was appointed as the acting head coach of the Pakistan national Test cricket team, following a period of coaching instability after [[Jason Gillespie]]'s resignation in December 2024. Azhar, who had been serving as Pakistan's all-formats assistant coach since April 2025, is expected to hold the position until the end of his contract in March 2026.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 June 2025 |title=Azhar Mahmood appointed acting head coach of Pakistan Test team |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/azhar-mahmood-appointed-acting-head-coach-of-pakistan-test-team-1492807 |access-date=1 July 2025 |website=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

In July 2025, Azhar Mehmood was appointed as the acting red-ball head coach of the [[Pakistan]] men's cricket team. The move comes after a string of unsuccessful [[coaching]] experiments, including Aaqib Javed's dual role as selector and [[Coaching|coach]], which ended following Pakistan's underwhelming performance in the 2025 [[ICC Champions Trophy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=APP |first=Dawn com {{!}} |date=2025-06-30 |title=Pakistan Cricket Board appoints Azhar Mahmood as acting red-ball head coach |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1921201 |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=39024}}

{{Pakistan national cricket team coaches}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Pakistan squads
|bg= #01411C
|fg= white
|bordercolor=limegreen
|list1=
{{Pakistan Squad 1999 Cricket World Cup}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2000 Asia Cup}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2003 Cricket World Cup}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2007 Cricket World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahmood, Azhar}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British people of Punjabi descent]]
[[Category:Pakistani cricketers]]
[[Category:Pakistan One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:Pakistan Test cricketers]]
[[Category:Kent cricketers]]
[[Category:Surrey cricketers]]
[[Category:Rawalpindi cricketers]]
[[Category:Auckland cricketers]]
[[Category:Barbados Royals cricketers]]
[[Category:Fortune Barishal cricketers]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 2003 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Rawalpindi]]
[[Category:Cricketers who made a century on Test debut]]
[[Category:Cape Cobras cricketers]]
[[Category:Dhaka Dominators cricketers]]
[[Category:Pakistani expatriate cricketers in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:English cricketers]]
[[Category:English cricket coaches]]
[[Category:Habib Bank Limited cricketers]]
[[Category:ICL Pakistan XI cricketers]]
[[Category:Islamabad cricketers]]
[[Category:Islamabad Leopards cricketers]]
[[Category:Islamabad United cricketers]]
[[Category:Kolkata Knight Riders cricketers]]
[[Category:Lahore Badshahs cricketers]]
[[Category:Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Pakistan International Airlines cricketers]]
[[Category:Pakistani cricket coaches]]
[[Category:Pakistani emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Punjab Kings cricketers]]
[[Category:Pakistani expatriate cricketers in India]]
[[Category:Sydney Thunder cricketers]]
[[Category:Pakistani expatriate cricketers in Australia]]
[[Category:United Bank Limited cricketers]]
[[Category:Wayamba United cricketers]]
[[Category:Pakistani expatriate cricketers in Sri Lanka]]

Azhar Mahmood - Revision history

YourPritam7: Wrote A Article