Lahore, November 20, 2025: Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has resigned from his dual role as selector and head of youth development at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), ending a 12-month stint marked by growing internal disagreements. His departure, not officially announced by either the PCB or Azhar, was confirmed by ESPNcricinfo on Thursday.
According to the cricket website, Azhar stepped down following months of “simmering differences in outlook” with the board. The situation reportedly reached breaking point after Sarfaraz Ahmed was appointed, though not publicly confirmed, as head of the Pakistan Shaheens and the Under-19 teams, giving him wide authority over youth tours, training camps and age-group management.
Sources told ESPNcricinfo that Azhar believed Sarfaraz’s new remit significantly overlapped with his own responsibilities, effectively making his position “untenable.” He submitted his resignation earlier this week, which the PCB accepted.
Azhar, who previously led Pakistan in both Tests and ODIs, joined the PCB in October 2024 as a member of the men’s national selection panel. In November 2024, the board formally added the role of head of youth development to his portfolio.
At the time, the PCB announced that Azhar had been entrusted with “shaping the future of Pakistan cricket” through youth strategies, grassroots structures, talent pathways, and educational programmes under the PCB Pathways system. He was also responsible for conducting seminars and awareness sessions on off-field development for emerging players.
His exit comes less than 14 months before Pakistan’s next major age-group assignment — the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled from January 15 to February 6 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Pakistan have been placed alongside co-hosts Zimbabwe, Scotland and England in their group. The national U-19 side has lifted the trophy twice, in 2004 and 2006.
The PCB has yet to comment publicly on Azhar’s resignation or clarify any reshuffling within the youth cricket structure.
