Sarfaraz Ahmed in line for Pakistan Test coach role ahead of Bangladesh series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to appoint Sarfaraz Ahmed as the head coach of the Pakistan men’s Test cricket team , a move expected to be officially confirmed in the coming days. Sarfaraz, 38, will take charge ahead of Pakistan’s two‑match ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh in May, marking a fresh start for the red‑ball side.

The post has been vacant since October 2025, after the PCB and interim coach Azhar Mahmood parted ways by mutual consent. Mahmood had overseen the Test setup since mid‑2025 following the sudden exit of Australian coach Jason Gillespie in late 2024. This is yet another change in Pakistan’s coaching ranks, reflecting a long pattern of frequent appointments and dismissals in recent years, which critics say have disrupted continuity and stability in team performance.

The PCB’s decision to replace coaches frequently stems from underwhelming results in major tournaments, including a disappointing 2026 ICC T20 World Cup campaign and Pakistan’s failure to reach a WTC final in any previous cycle. With the WTC 2025–27 cycle underway, the board is keen to steady the red‑ball unit with fresh leadership.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, a former wicketkeeper-batter and captain, brings a strong legacy. He played 54 Tests, scoring over 3,000 runs with four centuries , 117 ODIs , and 61 T20Is , and famously led Pakistan to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title — the nation’s last ICC trophy. He also captained the Under-19 side to a World Cup win. Last year, he managed the Pakistan Shaheens and Under-19 teams , guiding the juniors to the Asia Cup title under his mentorship. He has also been honored with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz , one of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards.

If confirmed, Sarfaraz will become Pakistan’s youngest-ever Test head coach , tasked with blending youth and experience to lift the team’s fortunes in the most demanding format of the game. The PCB hopes that his leadership will bring stability, consistency, and renewed energy to a squad eager to improve its WTC standing and reclaim international respect.