[6] In the 2012 IPL auction, Mahmood was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $200,000, double his base price of $100,000.

[8][9] Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996 at Toronto Cricket Club, Toronto,[10] but did not gain major recognition until his Test debut against South Africa the following year at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi when he hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed.

[3] In 2000, Lt-General Tauqir Zia, then the PCB chairman, said that the board would choose the next captain – not based on seniority alone – and if people find the choice unacceptable they will not be selected.

[12] He was recalled to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007,[13] but subsequently dropped when the 2007 Cricket World Cup team was announced.

[14] However, aside from playing in a practice match, Azhar did not get a chance to participate in the World Cup and Pakistan's early exit from the tournament meant that he was once again, in line for being axed from the national squad.

His weight gain, mediocre performances in ODIs, combined with the tough competition for the all rounder slot in the Pakistani line up meant that his chances for making a return to the national squad were very limited.

He has previously signed with the defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) and had been released from his central contract.

It mentioned – "South Africa's pace attack had more depth than at any other time in their history: Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock supported by Fanie de Villiers and Lance Klusener.

[19] Mahmood also served as the bowling coach of two PSL Franchises Karachi Kings & Multan Sultans.