Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood recently revealed that he lost out on a coaching opportunity in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) due to his Pakistani nationality. Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Mahmood described the experience as a frustrating consequence of nationality-based restrictions in franchise cricket.
Mahmood explained that nearly four years ago, following the COVID-19 pandemic, a CPL franchise approached him with an offer to join as a coach. However, the deal never materialised. “I was offered a coaching role with a franchise,” he said. “Later I learned that because I am Pakistani, they said they could not have any Pakistani coaches or players in the team.”
A former pace-bowling all-rounder, Mahmood represented Pakistan in 164 international matches from 1996 to 2007, including 21 Tests. He also had a long county cricket career in England, playing for Surrey (2002–2007, 2013–2016) and Kent (2008–2012). After acquiring British citizenship in 2011, he was eligible to play as a local player in county competitions.
Mahmood’s coaching credentials are equally impressive. In 2016, he became the bowling coach for Pakistan’s Under-19 team, a position he held for three years. In 2024, he was appointed head coach of the Pakistan T20I team during their New Zealand tour and later served as interim head coach after Jason Gillespie’s departure. In addition, he has been involved multiple times as a bowling coach in Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises.
Reflecting on the current franchise T20 landscape, Mahmood said, “This is not an ideal situation for me. I am a recognised coach in England, have coached Surrey in county cricket, and worked with Pakistan for the last two years. Yet, because of these two years in the Pakistan setup, securing new roles has become difficult.”
He added, “Everything is now linked to the IPL ecosystem. There are four or five major franchise leagues like SA20, Major League Cricket. Getting a coaching opportunity with IPL or India-owned franchises is tough. It’s not easy. Players face the same reality.”
Recent reports from the BBC indicate that four India-owned franchises in The Hundred—MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants, and Southern Brave—do not sign Pakistani players. Mahmood commented on this, saying, “England has a large Pakistani community, and the ECB enjoys excellent relations with the PCB. Cricket fans here, particularly those of Pakistani origin, are passionate. I hope the ECB addresses this seriously.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has clarified that while no team can be forced to sign specific players, any evidence of discrimination or bias in selection will be dealt with strictly. Political considerations should not affect player opportunities, and independent cricket regulators may be called upon to investigate.
Notably, England’s current T20 captain Harry Brook and former captain Michael Vaughan have weighed in on the debate. Vaughan stressed that politics should never influence cricketing decisions, while Brook described the exclusion of Pakistanis from The Hundred as “regrettable.”
Azhar Mahmood – Career Summary
| Format | Matches | Role | Notable Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| International (1996–07) | 164 | All-rounder | Pakistan |
| Test | 21 | All-rounder | Pakistan |
| County Cricket | – | Player/Coach | Surrey, Kent |
| Coaching (2016–Present) | – | Bowling/Head | Pakistan U19, Pakistan T20I, PSL |
Mahmood’s experience highlights the growing tension between cricketing meritocracy and geopolitical realities in modern franchise leagues, especially in T20 tournaments influenced by IPL ownership networks.