Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will be the new head coach of the Pakistan’s Test cricket team, as sources revealed on Wednesday.
A formal announcement from the Pakistan Cricket Board is expected soon.
Sarfaraz is likely to start his tenure during Pakistan’s scheduled two match Test series against Bangladesh in May.
The assignment will mark his first major role with the senior national side in a coaching capacity.
The head coach role has been vacant since October 2025. Azhar Mahmood served as interim coach during the recent series at home against South Africa.
Pakistan’s matches against Bangladesh will be part of the World Test Championship 2027 cycle.
The first Test will take place from May 8, and the second match is scheduled for the May 16.
Currently, Sarfaraz is working with Pakistan Shaheens, who are touring the United Arab Emirates for a T20 and one-day series against England Lions.
His involvement with the Shaheens shows the increasing trust the board has placed in his leadership skills.
The 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman enjoyed a long international career. He featured in 54 Tests, scoring 3,031 runs, including four centuries and 21 half-centuries.
In One-Day Internationals, Sarfaraz played 117 matches for 2,315 runs, including two centuries and 11 fifties. In T20 Internationals, he scored 818 runs in 61 appearances, including three half-century games.
As captain, Sarfaraz was highly successful. He famously guided Pakistan to their 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title with an outstanding 180 run victory over India in the final.
Under his leadership during that period, Pakistan had a 70 percent win rate in ODIs. He also led the team to five wins in nine matches at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
In T20Is, he had a brilliant 78.37 percent win rate, winning 29 matches out of 37 as captain.
Sarfaraz last represented Pakistan in Test cricket against Australia in Perth in 2023, putting an end to his red-ball playing career.
Also read: Sarfaraz Ahmad stats, records, and career highlights
