The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered the Pakistan Test head coach position to former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, sources said, with the 38-year-old yet to give his final confirmation.
If he accepts, Sarfaraz would become the youngest-ever head coach of Pakistan’s Test side. The appointment would come as Pakistan prepares for a busy ICC World Test Championship schedule this year, including two Tests in Bangladesh in May and subsequent tours to the West Indies and England.
Pakistan last played a Test series at home against South Africa late last year, which ended in a 1-1 draw under interim coach Azhar Mahmood. With Azhar’s contract concluded by mutual consent, PCB officials have reportedly moved to make Sarfaraz the permanent successor.
Sarfaraz has been involved in coaching and management roles within the PCB setup. Last year he was appointed manager and mentor of the Pakistan Shaheens and the under-19 teams. He accompanied Pakistan’s youth sides to the ICC World Youth Cup held this year in Zimbabwe and Namibia and managed squads in the Asia Cup Rising Stars event and the junior Asia Cup.
A former wicketkeeper-batsman, Sarfaraz played 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20 internationals for Pakistan. He captained Pakistan to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title and has been credited with leading youth sides to success, including at under-19 level.
Sarfaraz’s international playing career ended abruptly in 2019 when he was removed as captain and dropped from the national team after Misbah-ul-Haq was appointed head coach and chief selector for all formats. The PCB’s offer marks a potential return to a central role in Pakistan’s Test structure as the board seeks stability and improved results in the World Test Championship.
