Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has claimed that his nationality has become an obstacle in securing coaching roles in major T20 leagues around the world.
Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, the 50-year-old said he was once denied a coaching position in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) specifically because he is Pakistani.
The all-rounder recalled that shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic, a potential deal collapsed when he was informed that no Pakistani coach or player could be included in the franchise cricket.
Mahmood, who has held British citizenship since 2011 and spent many years playing county cricket in England, said his recent coaching role with Pakistan has made him “radioactive” to certain teams.
According to Mahmood, IPL franchise owners now control teams in leagues across the Caribbean, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, expanding their influence within cricket’s increasingly interconnected global structure.
He said longstanding political tensions between India and Pakistan have led to Pakistani players and coaches being regularly excluded from franchise leagues, restricting opportunities despite their consistent international performances.
Mahmood added that, as a coach, he struggles to access opportunities with teams owned by Indian stakeholders, arguing that professional prospects are narrowing within this expanding network of franchise-controlled leagues worldwide.
His comments follow ownership changes in The Hundred, where several teams have come under investors linked to the IPL, including franchises such as MI London and Sunrisers Leeds.
Mahmood warned Pakistani players could be quietly overlooked in future auctions if this trend continues, urging the England and Wales Cricket Board to intervene and ensure merit prevails over business or heritage considerations.
