Azhar Abbas (cricketer)

Azhar Abbas Haraj is a Pakistani-New Zealand cricket coach and former cricketer. Azhar is a bowling coach for Wellington Firebirds in New Zealand having previously worked with the Auckland Aces. As a player, he appeared for the Auckland Aces and Wellington Firebirds in the New Zealand State Championship. He is a vice chairman of PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) sports and cultural wing of PTI Pakistan. He is a former chief of staff to Honourable Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi (ex Prime Minister of Pakistan) between 1996 to 2013. He is a founder of New Zealand Pace Foundation.

Early life and family
Azhar Abbas was born on 1 April 1975 in Abdul Hakim Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan to a Former’s Family. At the age of 14, He was moved to Lahore to complete his education and Sports (Cricket) interests.

Abbas is a married to Shazia; the couple has two daughters and a son, Muhammad Abbas, who plays first-class cricket for Wellington. He and his wife are naturalised New Zealand citizens.

Career
Azhar Abbas played most of his cricket in Pakistan, England and New Zealand as a fast bowler, he was named to a wider Pakistan squad in 1997 and 2005 but did not make the final team against Sri Lanka and India. After meeting former New Zealand cricketer, Richard Petrie, in England, Abbas joined the Karori Club in Wellington. He later became a player-coach for Eden Roskill Cricket Club in 2005.

Now he is a NZC Level 3 cricket coach. From 2015 to 2021 he was a bowling coach for Auckland Aces. From 2022 he has worked in the same role for Wellington Firebirds. He is also a founder of NZ Pace Academy.