The Pakistan Cricket Board faces a dilemma regarding the release of interim red-ball coach Azhar Mahmood, a former Test all-rounder, due to contractual obligations established by previous management.The contract stipulates that early termination would require the PCB to pay six months’ compensation, amounting to PKR 450 million (USD 160,000).“Which is why the PCB recently named him as interim head coach of the national red-ball team until his contract expires next year in April-May,” the insider told PTI.Azhar Mahmood currently receives a monthly salary of approximately PKR 7.5 million from the PCB.“The problem arose when Mike Hesson, the recently-appointed white-ball head coach made it clear he would have his own support staff and Azhar was not among his selections.”“This left the PCB with a major problem of how to utilise Azhar’s expertise to justify paying him such a handsome salary, as even if they wanted they couldn’t release him without the six months of compensation,” the insider added.
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The situation has become complex as Azhar expresses dissatisfaction with the board’s operations. Despite his interest in working with the national junior team, he has encountered opposition from PCB insiders.“(Former pacer) Aaqib Javed, who is now a selector and head of the national cricket academy and close to the board chairman, is not impressed with his (Azhar’s) coaching style. But to justify his contract for the time being, they have named him as interim head coach of the Test side.”Azhar has extensive experience with the Pakistan senior teams, having served in various coaching roles including assistant and bowling coach over the years.The PCB has previously faced similar financial obligations when terminating contracts of other cricket personalities. This included releasing Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Misbah ul Haq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed from their roles as mentors in the Champions Cup events, which were discontinued after one season.
