10 Interesting facts about Azhar Mahmood

Azhar Mahmood started out primarily as a fast bowler but then slowly transformed into an all-rounder. Unlike most of the fast bowlers in Pakistan who depend on swing, he is a seam bowler who depends on seam movements off the pitch to chip in wickets. But, It is his belligerent batting style was his most attractive feature of him as a cricketer. Mahmood’s Test career never really took off but he was an important part of the ODi team. He soon turned to county cricket and later tasted success as a T20 specialist.

1. Born on:

Azhar Mahmood Sagar was born on February 28, 1975, Rawalpindi, Western Punjab

2. Early cricketing life:

Originally his father objected to his interest in cricket, but later started to appreciate it seeing his accomplishments. As a teenager, Azhar was mentored by Irfan Bhatti who played a One Day International for Pakistan in the early 90’s. When not doing net practice, Azhar engage himself playing tape ball cricket on the cemented pitch in the cricket ground in front of his home

3. ODI Debut:

Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996 at Toronto Cricket Club, Toronto

4. Memorable Test Debut:

Azhar made his Test debut against South Africa a year later in 1997. He hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed. He later went on to score two more centuries against the South Africans.

5. One of the best Test innings:

In 2001, Wisden included Azhar Mahmood’s innings of 132 for Pakistan against South Africa at Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban in 1997–98 as the 8th best Test Innings of All Time in its list of Wisden 100. The then 22-year-old came out to bat at number seven and batted against the likes of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Fannie De Villiers and Lance Klusener.

6. Foray into County cricket:

Azhar slowly went out of favor for a spot in the national team. He then turned towards England and first played county cricket in 2002 when he joined Surrey. He again signed with Surrey for 2005 and later applied for British citizenship. He is has now  a British passport which now qualifies him as an English-qualified player.

7. T20 advent:

It was announced that Azhar would be playing for the Auckland Aces as one of their overseas professionals in the 2011/12 season.

8. Indian Premier League:

In the 2012 IPL auction, Mahmood was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $200,000, double his base price of $100,000. In 2015, he was signed by KKR as a replacement for James Neesham and played a few matches but was dropped from the squad the very next season.

9. Personal life:

Azhar Mahmood is married to a British. His wedding took place in 2003.

10. Back to Pakistan, but as a bowling coach:

Azhar Mahmood was recently appointed as the interim bowling coach of Pakistan for the World T20 2016.