Azhar’s PCB Role Included Designing Youth Strategy, Strengthening Pathways, and Grooming Emerging Talent

Azhar Ali, the PCB's selector and head of youth development, has resigned after only 12 months in the job. Neither Azhar nor the board has issued a public announcement of the resignation. But ESPNcricinfo understands that there had been long-standing differences between the former Pakistan captain and the board, which came to a head with reports of Sarfaraz Ahmed being appointed head of the Pakistan Shaheen and Under-19 teams despite Azhar carrying similar responsibilities.

In fact, Azhar Ali is believed to have felt that Sarfaraz was appointed to a role too similar to his responsibilities. He thus felt that he should no longer continue in that position. He submitted his resignation earlier this week, which was accepted by the PCB.

Azhar has also captained Pakistan in Tests and ODIs. He was first brought into the PCB as a member of the Pakistan men's national team selection panel in October 2024. A month later, he was given the role of Head of Youth Development, which the PCB publicly announced at the time.