Azhar Mahmood says Pakistan link cost him CPL coaching role

Former Pakistan cricketer and coach Azhar Mahmood said that the environment in franchise leagues is massively influenced by the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Discrimination against Pakistan players

Speaking about the reported exclusion of the Pakistan Players from the Hundred auction on March 11-12, Mahmood said the discrimination extends beyond just one tournament.

Even though he is an English-qualified coach, holding a British passport, Mahmood’s recent coaching stint with Pakistan, as well as his roots, have made it difficult to secure coaching roles with franchises.

"It's not the ideal situation for me," said Mahmood. "I'm an English qualified coach, and I was coaching Surrey county cricket, and then I went back to Pakistan for the last two years, and now, because I was part of the Pakistan set-up for the last two years, finding roles now is quite difficult.”

He pointed to the growing influence of IPL-backed ownership groups across global leagues.

“Everything is connected to the ecosystem of the IPL. They have four or five franchise leagues, SA20, and MLC. As a coach, I find it tough to get into those teams which are owned by the IPL and Indian owners. It's difficult. The same thing goes for the players as well."

“Can't have any Pakistani coach or player”

The discrimination is hardly new for players and coaches from Pakistan. Mahmood mentioned he lost a coaching stint with a Caribbean Premier League franchise after COVID, with the franchise openly saying it can not rope in Players and staff from Pakistan. 

"It happened four years ago, straight away after Covid, when the CPL was happening," said Mahmood. "I was asked to coach in one of the franchises, and later on, I found out that because of my background as a Pakistani, they said we can't have any Pakistani coach or player in our side."

While the ECB has assured no player will face discrimination in the Hundred auction, the broader trend of IPL-linked team owners avoiding Pakistan players and staff is unlikely to shift soon.

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