Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to take charge as the new head coach of the national Test team. Sources say a formal announcement will be made shortly, ending months of uncertainty surrounding the red-ball setup.
The head coach position has been vacant since October 2025. During the recent series against the South Africa national cricket team, Azhar Mahmood served as the interim head coach.
Sarfaraz is expected to officially begin his duties during Pakistan’s two-match Test series against the Bangladesh national cricket team in May. The first Test will begin on May 8, followed by the second on May 16. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2027 cycle, making it crucial for Pakistan’s long-term red-ball ambitions.
Interestingly, Sarfaraz has recently been working with Pakistan Shaheens. He mentored the Under-19 side that won the Asia Cup and is currently involved in the UAE series, where Pakistan Shaheens are facing the England Lions in T20 and one-day matches. His growing involvement in coaching appears to have strengthened the board’s confidence in him.
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As a player, the 38-year-old had a long international career. He played 54 Tests and scored 3,031 runs, including four centuries and 21 fifties. In 117 ODIs, he amassed 2,315 runs, with two centuries and 11 fifties. In 61 T20 internationals, he scored 818 runs, including three fifties.
However, it was his captaincy that truly defined him. Sarfaraz led Pakistan to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, defeating India by 180 runs in the final, and maintained an impressive 70% win rate during his tenure.
In the 2019 World Cup, he guided Pakistan to five wins in nine matches, achieving a 62.5% win rate. In T20Is, his record was even stronger, with 29 wins in 37 matches, resulting in a 78.37% success rate.
For many fans, his last Test appearance remains fresh in memory. Sarfaraz last represented Pakistan in red-ball cricket against Australia in Perth in 2023. Now, instead of holding the bat, he may soon be holding the strategy board.
