Because he is Pakistani, Azhar Mehmood lost the opportunity to coach in the CPL.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has revealed that his nationality prevented him from securing a coaching role in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Mahmood claimed that a franchise had offered him a coaching position nearly four years ago, after the resumption of the CPL following the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Mahmood later discovered that his Pakistani citizenship had become a barrier. “I was offered a coaching role by a franchise,” he explained, “but later I learned they said they could not have any Pakistani coaches or players in the team.”

Mahmood represented Pakistan in 164 international matches between 1996 and 2007, including 21 Tests. He enjoyed a prolific career in English county cricket, playing for Surrey from 2002 to 2007 and again from 2013 to 2016, and for Kent from 2008 to 2012. After acquiring British citizenship in 2011, Mahmood was able to play as a local player in county competitions.

Renowned as a pace-bowling all-rounder, Mahmood transitioned into coaching after retirement. In 2016, he was appointed bowling coach for Pakistan’s under-19 team, a role he held for three years. He subsequently became head coach of Pakistan’s T20 side during the 2024 New Zealand tour and later served as interim head coach following Jason Gillespie’s departure. Mahmood has also been a bowling coach in multiple Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises.

Reflecting on the current landscape of franchise T20 cricket, Mahmood said, “This is not an ideal situation for me. I am a recognised coach in England, with experience at Surrey in county cricket, and two years working with the Pakistan setup. Because of this, securing new roles has become more challenging.”

He added, “Everything is now intertwined with the IPL ecosystem. There are several franchise leagues, such as SA20 and Major League Cricket. Opportunities in IPL or India-owned teams are difficult for me to access, and this is the reality for players too.”

According to the BBC, four India-owned franchises in The Hundred—MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants, and Southern Brave—do not sign Pakistani players. Mahmood expressed hope for better support in England: “There is a large Pakistani community in England, and the ECB and PCB share strong ties. Cricket fans here, especially of Pakistani origin, are passionate. I hope the ECB addresses this with seriousness.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has clarified that no team can be forced to sign a particular player. However, the ECB will take strict action if discrimination or bias is proven, and political considerations must not determine player selection. Independent regulatory authorities may be involved in investigations.

Several English cricketers, including Harry Brook and Michael Vaughan, have commented on the matter. Vaughan stated that politics should never influence cricketing decisions, while Brook described the exclusion of Pakistani players from The Hundred as regrettable.

Azhar Mahmood: Career Overview