Azhar Mahmood appointed as bowling coach for the Pakistan team

[Abdullah719]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired the services of former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the bowling coach for the national team prior to the Test series against New Zealand beginning November 17.

Azhar, who had played 21 Tests and 141 ODIs for Pakistan, has also coached the national team in the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 held earlier this year. He had also assisted the national team in the limited over series in England after which his contract ended.

Talking to APP, the PCB official said earlier Pakistan team head coach Mickey Arthur had recommended some other foreigner coaches' name for the job of the bowling coach but talks with them didn't work out due to financial and availability issues.

He said therefore the PCB decided to rope in Azhar for the job as he had already worked with the national team. "Azhar's first task will be the test series against New Zealand starting from November 17," he said.

He said earlier Azhar was to assist the team before the start of the Pakistan-West Indies Test series but the finalization of his contract took sometime, but now he is finalized for the job.

Responding to a question, he said no other local or international coach was contacted besides Azhar for the job. Pakistan Team will play two Test matches against New Zealand. The first Test match will be played from November 17 to 21 at Christchurch while the second test will kick off from November 25 to 29 at Hamilton.

http://www.brecorder.com/sports/cricket/325924-pcb-ropes-in-azhar-as-bowling-coach.html

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I like him being bowling coach in ODIs but not sure he is the man for the job in Tests. At least he is a pacer unlike Mushi...

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Our fast bowlers are doing well under him. Even a person like me who doesnt know much about technical aspects of fast bowling can see the improvement.

 

[Hasan123]

He has done a good job so far.

 

[Saj]

Improvements in Hasan Ali and impressed with Abbas.

Even Amir is starting to look a lot better.

 

[BA56]

The tight bowling by the pacers putting the pressure has been impressive, but only in this test. Need to see more of it before we start patting him on the back. Let's not forget our bowling failed in Australia and NZ in relatively good conditions for bowlers.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Our fast bowlers are doing well under him. Even a person like me who doesnt know much about technical aspects of fast bowling can see the improvement.

i dont want to take the credit away from the bowlers.. but against an inexperienced WI we cannot rate them as very high... they have to do very well against the top teams which they failed in AUS and NZL in bowling friendly conditions.. I would give Azhar the credit for dropping Wahab since the first test and playing Abbas the debutant in all 3 tests... It is a new test bowling lineup formed by mickey & co wanna see more of these 3 bowling regularly in tests...

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Yet again no one giving any credit to Azhar Mahmood. People would have been going crazy had it been a superstar like Waqar Younis.

Roshan Abaysinge was saying that it was the first time that Pak has not bowled a no-ball in an 5 match ODI series! Great job Azhar!

 

[Markhor]

Has done a fantastic job.

 

[mak36]

Unsung hero of the LOI set-up. He has done an exceptional job.

Let's see what he can do to our test bowlers.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Unsung hero of the LOI set-up. He has done an exceptional job.

Let's see what he can do to our test bowlers.

Guys like Flower, Azhar get praised by the head coach or by the players. Our fans only drool over Wasim, Waqar.

 

[Plumb]

Azhar Mahmood Appreciation Thread!

I remember when Azhar was appointed there were mix emotions as to the need and how well he 'll do. I remember watching a program on PTV where Saqi mentioned that you give him time and he 'll produce results(Its during the noball fiasco with the bowlers sometime ago).

I really think that he brings experience and youngsters are learning from him. We need to appoint such characters in under19 and at the grass root level where the coaches get paid well and prepare the upcoming bowlers. I really appreciate what Azhar has been doing with the bowling unit. ThankYou Azhar

 

[ManFan]

Great bowling coach. The masterstroke has been dropping Wahab and Irfan. Needs to work on our bowlers bowling a fuller length in Tests.

 

[UN talkz]

Has been great in LOIs... Needs to help them out in Tests... Pak needs to produce more results like these in Tests.

 

[Hasan123]

He's done a good job. Really impressed

 

[waleed88]

Lets be honest, no one will appreciate this guy.

However everyone was cursing at him that what is he doing as a bowling coach, during the no-ball barrage that was happening from Wahab, Junaid while facing Australia.

Really under appreciated, the main is one of the main reasons we turned it around in the CT and won it.

His experience was invaluable in England and he has definitely improved the new ball ability of all our bowlers. He seems to be a modern coach, his experience in IPL and County leagues allowed our players to learnt he latest tricks and trades of how batsmen approach modern cricket.

Fantastic guy to go with, his interviews in Geo were always balanced and he has shown that he can put money where his mouth is too. He's done a much better job than Waqar specially in the Limited overs circuit.

 

[Savak]

How is it that this guy has been successful as a bowling coach while someone like Waqar failed?

 

[Siraj.Hussain]

Really has been an unsung hero, really impressed by him

Fast bowlers in test cricket is a real conundrum for us. This is why I would like the likes of Shaheen Shah to be groomed as FC bowlers first, and then One Day Bowlers.

 

[Saj]

Still not liked or appreciated by many in Pakistani cricketing circles as they don't see him as a Pakistani.

 

[Boi]

How is it that this guy has been successful as a bowling coach while someone like Waqar failed?

Waqar was a pretty decent bowling coach actually. Should've stuck to that role because he just didn't cut it as head coach.

 

[CricFan2012]

Unsung hero of the LOI set-up. He has done an exceptional job.

Let's see what he can do to our test bowlers.

When test and LOI performances are vastly different it means we owe success to the player and their ability.

I don't have any grudges against Azhar but doesn't seem like he is that good of a coach as seen by our poor test bowling.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

a year since he has been appointed and he deserves all the credit. Once again proving that you dont have to be a great player to be a coach, sadly many pakistani pundits are stuck with that mentality. He has brought traditional Pakistani flair back to our bowling while also brining more displine.

I hope Azhar stays for a while yet and doesn't get poached. I can see him potentially being an heir to the head coach position if Mickey decides to move on after 2019.

 

[Ahson8]

Can’t believe some of the flak he gets on social media from fans; he has done a fine job with the bowlers.

 

[Ahson8]

All the bowlers who have worked with him are also full of praise but fans & pundits are not able to do so because of their bias.

 

[InziRules]

All the bowlers who have worked with him are also full of praise but fans & pundits are not able to do so because of their bias.

Haven't you criticised him in the past as well?

 

[Saj]

He's a likeable guy and gets on well with the players, young or old.

He's played at the highest level and all around the world so has a lor of experience to fall back on.