Why is Azhar Mahmood as assistant coach not criticized?

[Major]

I find it weird, every now and then Azhar Mahmood comes in on in an ad hoc basis as a coach for a few series, focus on wearing his cap backwards, shows no results, leaves the job, only to sneak back in.

Now he is holding the position of assistant coach. Usually this is a position that is given to one of the local coaches that has coached domestic teams in first class and get this spot like Abdur Rehman held it.

Azhar Mahmood doesn't get any criticism and gets overlooked around here.

Is this part time coach any good?

 

[emranabbas]

finally some coach is talking about strike rates over averages in t20 and you want him out?

 

[Markhor]

Unlike some of our big name ex-players turned coaches who sit in TV studios until they get a phone call - Azhar's done his training courses and has realworld coaching experience in County Cricket.

His press statements also show he's better at analysing the game than most Pakistani cricketers who trot out the same tired cliches about being below par in all departments.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He's a massive upgrade over the Misbah's and Waqar's, surely.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Just because he said that in T20s, strike rate is more important?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Give him a little time, in my opinion team is atleast showing some positive intent to score runs quickly.

 

[Statpadder Inc]

The moment Azhar said that strike rate is more important, I expected this thread

 

[TeymurBlake]

It's better than Waqar, Misbah, Mushy & other TV cricket expert numpties.

 

[mominsaigol]

I find it weird, every now and then Azhar Mahmood comes in on in an ad hoc basis as a coach for a few series, focus on wearing his cap backwards, shows no results, leaves the job, only to sneak back in.

Now he is holding the position of assistant coach. Usually this is a position that is given to one of the local coaches that has coached domestic teams in first class and get this spot like Abdur Rehman held it.

Azhar Mahmood doesn't get any criticism and gets overlooked around here.

Is this part time coach any good?

Idk about past records.

But babar has had a million coaches at this point and has shown zero improvement infact he's shown regression.

Mickey Arthur during his first stint had a bad 2018 in odi's and an average wc 2019, but a he has one icc victory under sarfi. He's also the one who developed the fakhar opening along with babar at no 3, and was the one to suggest imad opening the bowling which in that era was very succesful before 2021 when babar took over.

However under Babar, Mickdy showed zero improvements , cause hafeez and mickey had no effect on babar.

Azhar mehmood speaks the truth, he talked about how bad overs 7-15 were in one game, but it's not like babar will ever implement his suggestions. Heck babar claimed overs 7-15 aka 60 of 51 were just dandy because shadab saved him lol.

No need to critise azhar as a coach, no coach will ever help Pakistan as long as Babar is captain.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

It's better than Waqar, Misbah, Mushy & other TV cricket expert numpties.

he is a qualified coach I am sure he will bring this team back on track.

 

[Major]

Unlike some of our big name ex-players turned coaches who sit in TV studios until they get a phone call - Azhar's done his training courses and has realworld coaching experience in County Cricket.

His press statements also show he's better at analysing the game than most Pakistani cricketers who trot out the same tired cliches about being below par in all departments.

as a pakistani coach, has he work with any first class teams?

why not go for someone that has worked with first class teams in pakistan if you are going to make him an assistant coach

 

[Major]

The moment Azhar said that strike rate is more important, I expected this thread

I dont watch press conferences anymore and i dont know any statement he made.

I find it curious how someone like Azhar becomes a part time coach every now and than and when we start losing he moves aside and is back again.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Just after one series we cant really criticize him.

Give him proper time to make the changes he wants to make within the team. If he still doesnt achieve anything then we can better criticize his performance, but not now.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pakistanis really need to calm down and give people enough time to make a difference before jumping the gun and calling for their heads.

Give Kirsten, Azhar and Gillespie a full 2 years of their signed contract and then judge them.

 

[Savak]

Azhar Mahmood is probably the most qualified Pakistani coach you can find with the perfect combination of county experience, ICC coaching credentials, someone who played loads of T-20 leagues all over the world including the IPL.

 

[moghul]

I find it weird, every now and then Azhar Mahmood comes in on in an ad hoc basis as a coach for a few series, focus on wearing his cap backwards, shows no results, leaves the job, only to sneak back in.

Now he is holding the position of assistant coach. Usually this is a position that is given to one of the local coaches that has coached domestic teams in first class and get this spot like Abdur Rehman held it.

Azhar Mahmood doesn't get any criticism and gets overlooked around here.

Is this part time coach any good?

Azhar Mahmood was a genuine all rounder and has played cricket all over the word , so a good man to keep in national coaching team.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Azhar has loads of experience behind him to fill this spot. Most probably, he will also be used as the translator between the players and the head coaches. Otherwise there was no real need behind this appointment. He is probably the best guys for this role.

 

[shortbread]

You need Azhar to plug the massive communication/thought process gap.

Azhar knows the team set up, how players think, behave, insecurities, and he's had excellent exposure to International cricket, management etc.... These individuals sit at two different extremes. On one hand you have educated senior coaches who come from good domestic structures and worked with quality club management and on the other hand you have rustic players from the Pakistani set up, the gap is huge!

He's the in-between/liaison/translator that the team will definitely need if the international coaching entourage needs to communicate with the players

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I suspect he is mainly employed as a translator.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

finally some coach is talking about strike rates over averages in t20 and you want him out?

He is a smart guy. Well respected and knows the game.

I hope the PCB are maximizing his utility and he's not just there as a yes man.

 

[Mamoon]

We keep hearing about his coaching certificates and all that crap, but what does he have to show for as a coach?

I have only seen him jump around from one PSL franchise to another. Has he coached outside Pakistan yet and if yes, what has he achieved?

 

[shaz619]

He has been involved with Pakistan enough but not really done a lot, could be wrong.

He has been Pakistan’s side chick for such a long time, has helped him avoid being collateral damage.

The only memorable moment for me was when he helped Pakistani bowlers bounce back after England put on a record high score during an ODI series in England

 

[Markhor]

as a pakistani coach, has he work with any first class teams?

why not go for someone that has worked with first class teams in pakistan if you are going to make him an assistant coach

I don't know how much PAK FC coaching experience he possesses but he's well regarded in ENG FC.

He's been Surrey's assistant coach and they won consecutive County Championships in 2022 and 2023. Helped develop young pacers such as Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Tom Lawes.

His appointment may not work out but credentials are pretty solid.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Sallu advised the current PCB chief to get rid of the national team's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, with a more competent individual, he said:

“Azhar, in my opinion, does not deserve to be the team’s coach as he is not competent for the job and have failed to deliver whenever given the opportunity to serve Pakistan Cricket,”

“I remember how PSL franchise Islamabad United sacked Azhar during the PSL 8 season which is a clear indication of his inability to motivate the players or help them overcome their shortcomings,”

 

[BouncerGuy]

Azhar Mahmood is there just to bridge the gap between gary+gillespie and Players. He is more of a translator rather than any coach.

 

[ravisurya]

Pakistan must be the only team in the world where non performance by the team leads to sacking of the coaches and sectors but non performing players continue to remain in the team.

 

[shehz]

He is the only local coach with solid credentials and international coaching experience. He worked under Micky Arthur and will now work under Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie. In my opinion, he is being groomed and has a golden opportunity to learn from the best. I believe he will become the future head coach of the Pakistan team and is probably the best among the local coaches right now based on his qualifications. If you look at the past results, he has very little influence when it comes to team selections, strategizing, and other major decisions.

 

[Major]

Finally criticism on him

 

[Bewal Express]

Not a single coach has made any difference. We rely on individual brilliance but that has become more and more rare. I guarantee that if we got rid of all the coaches and analysts, we wouldn't be one run or one wicket worse off and we would save millions to invest in better pay, better pitches etc. Our problem is systemic- a PCB that doesn't care to fix domestic game and provide facilities, and selections that don't allow talent to come through.

 

[mominsaigol]

Idk about past records.

But babar has had a million coaches at this point and has shown zero improvement infact he's shown regression.

Mickey Arthur during his first stint had a bad 2018 in odi's and an average wc 2019, but a he has one icc victory under sarfi. He's also the one who developed the fakhar opening along with babar at no 3, and was the one to suggest imad opening the bowling which in that era was very succesful before 2021 when babar took over.

However under Babar, Mickdy showed zero improvements , cause hafeez and mickey had no effect on babar.

Azhar mehmood speaks the truth, he talked about how bad overs 7-15 were in one game, but it's not like babar will ever implement his suggestions. Heck babar claimed overs 7-15 aka 60 of 51 were just dandy because shadab saved him lol.

No need to critise azhar as a coach, no coach will ever help Pakistan as long as Babar is captain.

^^ I made this comment a long time ago, any and all coach is irrelevant with Babar and Rizwan at the helm.

Misbah basically made Babar as captain so he could ensure he has his own dummy captain and could ensure his own Position in PCB is unchallenged.

Instead Misbah got sacked and Babar became the most powerful Man in pcb to the point that not a single soul can challenge him including Gary. Only naqvi can and Naqvi won't as he's a part of his hooligan gang.

I even said this when Mickey Arthur came back. Mickey did jack this time around in the same way Gary Kirsten did jack despite Gary being a world class coach.

People forget that under sarfraz, Mickey installed fakhar as an opener, brought back malik which established experience in the side, Shaheen, Haris sohail, etc etc all flourished under him. Babar was appointed as no 3 under mickey. During azhar Ali era Babar was batting at no 6 lol.

Mickey wasn't perfect as he was obsessed with allrounders and did not develop any specialist spinner, and bringing imam was not a good call as well as his bias for people like abid Ali, But atleast he did alot of good for Babar, Fakhar, haris sohail, shaheen etc.

Under Babar what has any coach done? Absolutely jack.

 

[Major]

Now he is making statements that we dont make spinners wixket because we cant take 20 wickets.

Bhai, you did not play a spinner you had

 

[Mohraheem]

Because he is not Worst Thn Misbah.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Now he is making statements that we dont make spinners wixket because we cant take 20 wickets.

Bhai, you did not play a spinner you had

I am sure in next match they will go with spin heavy attack and wicket will be supprting pacers... that bad they are analysing the wicket before the game.

 

[Mohraheem]

I am sure in next match they will go with spin heavy attack and wicket will be supprting pacers... that bad they are analysing the wicket before the game.

if Misbah was the case, we all know this wouldn’t have matter lol

 

[ads101]

Because no one knows whether the fault was captain, head coach or bowling coach. Or selector or management or chairman. It is difficult to distinguish.

I’d actually like a change in system in coaching in cricket. Football you always know who’s at fault.

I think a head coach and assistant coach system would work better. With head coach taking responsibility for both batting and bowling. And head coach allowed ideally to choose their assistant coach. Head coach should also be the head selector when deciding the squad after relying on a pool of players presented by the scouts. I also think the captain should have no power before the match starts and not to have any say choosing the team.

 

[BouncerGuy]

so far we have seen no real input from Azhar. our bowlers were mediocre. No reverse swing at all. Not sure what AM is doing here.

 

[gazza619]

Fantastic job done by Azhar. I say promote him to Head Coach. Let him perform last rites of Pakistan cricket

 

[Kianig89]

Once again Azhar Mehmood proved a failure, where are those going gaga over 1st session anamoly.

 

[sweep_shot]

so far we have seen no real input from Azhar. our bowlers were mediocre. No reverse swing at all. Not sure what AM is doing here.

Coach can teach things but bowlers have to execute those on the field.

It seems like current Pakistani pacers are out of confidence. They are going through the motions.

 

[Mohraheem]

I still say Misbah is at fault as he is connected with several players

 

[Major]

Remember the same guy said we cant prepare spinning trackes as we dont have spinners to take 20 wickets.

Azhar mehmood is also part of the problem

 

[topspin]

Remember the same guy said we cant prepare spinning trackes as we dont have spinners to take 20 wickets.

Azhar mehmood is also part of the problem

I'm not trying to defend Azhar Mahmood but in fairness what does mean exactly by "spinning tracks".

Is he referring to traditional subcontinent wickets which offer slow turn on the first few days before it turns into a dust bowl? (like one in this Multan test) or is he referring to rank turners? If it's the latter then I agree with him because Pakistan will get smashed by most teams in these conditions.

 

[Major]

I'm not trying to defend Azhar Mahmood but in fairness what does mean exactly by "spinning tracks".

Is he referring to traditional subcontinent wickets which offer slow turn on the first few days before it turns into a dust bowl? (like one in this Multan test) or is he referring to rank turners? If it's the latter then I agree with him because Pakistan will get smashed by most teams in these conditions.

There is an old issue with Pakistan cricket, and that issue is we have this false belief that we are the best pace attack nation and we are known for pace bowling.

So because of this false notion, alot of cricket stakeholders in Pakistan (who are uneducated), they are always more focused on playing 3-4 pacers on the flattest of wickets. If you pull out old score cards of matches in Faisalabad (flattest wicket in pakistan), we have played 2-3 pacers and 1 full time spinner there.

Yes spin bowling is boring and not that exciting compare to fast bowling, but it wins you matches. India's who dominance in cricket has been at the back of spin bowling.

Coming to the pitches, Pakistan cant produce pacey wickets. We have tried every gimmick out there, from adding grass and what not. Im not into this field, so im assuming that the pitches depend upon the clay content of each area.

Now this clay content factor is something we should use to our advantage, just like how India uses it to their advantage. SENA teams dont have such clay that helps them produce spin wickets, thus they will always be poor against spinners, so why not Pakistan start making spin tracks.

WHat i hate is the kissing up to the whiteman standard that we people love to do. Just because ball moves in England, we try to forcefull adopt that here.

Multan Test proved that Pakistan can produce a spin track. The fact that a 700+ wicket turned into 221 all out wicket shows we can do that. If not ODI or T20, in Test cricket pakistan should employ such wickets to win matches.

Pakistans batting is not a problem, its the pace bowling. The batting has always been like this, the pace bowling is soo over exaggerated that its not even funny anymore.

 

[mazkhan]

Actually you will find the more clay content the harder the pitch will be and more pace and bounce in the wicket and once moisture drys those cracks will give variable bounce and pace.

we saw this exact wicket produced in pindi against south africa and afridi and hasan ali were excellent.

 

[topspin]

There is an old issue with Pakistan cricket, and that issue is we have this false belief that we are the best pace attack nation and we are known for pace bowling.

So because of this false notion, alot of cricket stakeholders in Pakistan (who are uneducated), they are always more focused on playing 3-4 pacers on the flattest of wickets. If you pull out old score cards of matches in Faisalabad (flattest wicket in pakistan), we have played 2-3 pacers and 1 full time spinner there.

Yes spin bowling is boring and not that exciting compare to fast bowling, but it wins you matches. India's who dominance in cricket has been at the back of spin bowling.

Coming to the pitches, Pakistan cant produce pacey wickets. We have tried every gimmick out there, from adding grass and what not. Im not into this field, so im assuming that the pitches depend upon the clay content of each area.

Now this clay content factor is something we should use to our advantage, just like how India uses it to their advantage. SENA teams dont have such clay that helps them produce spin wickets, thus they will always be poor against spinners, so why not Pakistan start making spin tracks.

WHat i hate is the kissing up to the whiteman standard that we people love to do. Just because ball moves in England, we try to forcefull adopt that here.

Multan Test proved that Pakistan can produce a spin track. The fact that a 700+ wicket turned into 221 all out wicket shows we can do that. If not ODI or T20, in Test cricket pakistan should employ such wickets to win matches.

Pakistans batting is not a problem, its the pace bowling. The batting has always been like this, the pace bowling is soo over exaggerated that its not even funny anymore.

I agree. Pakistan being the "land of fast bowlers" is one of the biggest myths you'll find in cricket

The Pakistani bowlers of yesteryears reaped their rewards on the back of reverse swing due to ball tampering.

There's hardly any bowlers you'll find in the history of Pakistan cricket who were excellent conventional swing bowlers i.e. bowling with the new ball. Muhammad Asif is the best I've seen in this regard, even better than Wasim, Waqar and Imran.

Too many of our bowlers have low arm/slingy actions because this is what they've been taught by our ex-bowlers from the 90s. The focus should be on high arm, good wrist position and hitting the right length 5 out of 6 deliveries per over. This has always been the meta.

Shaheen would've been a much better bowler if he was coached overseas, particularly in Australia. They would've never let him bowl with such a low arm action. Instead he would've been coached properly and taught how to make the most of his height to generate steep bounce of a length. You can't do that when you have such a low arm.

 

[Kianig89]

Azhar Mehmood what his role is hopefully Gillespie serves him a notice no longer required please

 

[Mamoon]

Unlike some of our big name ex-players turned coaches who sit in TV studios until they get a phone call - Azhar's done his training courses and has realworld coaching experience in County Cricket.

His press statements also show he's better at analysing the game than most Pakistani cricketers who trot out the same tired cliches about being below par in all departments.