Azhar Ali. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed former national captain Azhar Ali as the Head of Youth Development. With a career spanning over a decade, Azhar brings a wealth of firsthand experience to this role.
His career began at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2002 and he went on to lead the national side. Azhar played 97 Tests and 53 ODIs. The right-hander made his first-class debut in 2002 and was part of Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup squad that year.
Azhar honed his game in the UK before returning to Pakistan. He made his Test debut in 2010, scoring 7142 Test runs at an average of 42.26, and briefly led both Pakistan’s Test and ODI sides. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s U-19 side is currently involved in a triangular series in the UAE, with Afghanistan as the third side.
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I am honoured and excited to take on this important role: Azhar Ali
Azhar will be responsible for designing and implementing youth cricket strategies, establishing grassroots structures, and creating effective talent routes. He will collaborate with regional cricket associations, strengthen age-group programs, and educate emerging cricketers through the PCB’s Pathways Programme.
“I am honored and excited to take on this important role. Having risen through the age-group ranks and played extensive club and domestic cricket, I understand the critical role grassroots development plays in shaping future stars. Significant strides have already been made in this area and I look forward to working with my colleagues to further elevate our youth development program. Our goal is to identify promising talent and equip them with the tools to excel at the highest level,” he said in a PCB statement.