Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been handed the full responsibility of overseeing the Pakistan Shaheens and Under-19 teams by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), marking a major restructuring of the board’s development.
The move will see Sarfaraz responsible for all planning, preparation and operations for both teams as the PCB looks to strengthen its feeder system and streamline its talent pipeline. Sarfaraz, who has been associated with the PCB since last year, will now lead all operations involving both the units.
“He is, it can be said now, the director of Pakistan’s Shaheens and junior team and will also travel with them abroad where required,” a PCB source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
According to the source, the coaches, selectors and support staff of the Shaheens and Under-19 players will now report directly to Sarfaraz, who will coordinate all matters with the board. “He will also be part of any decisions on the appointment of coaches or support staff for the two teams,” the source added.
Sarfaraz initially joined the PCB as a mentor in the now defunct Champions Cup before being appointed as the Chairman’s Advisor on Cricket Affairs. However, the former wicketkeeper-batsman was said to be more inclined to work with new cricketers and coaching groups, prompting him to take on an expanded role.
Pakistan last won the ICC title under Sarfaraz when they defeated India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final.
The board has frequently changed coaches, support staff and even captains of the Shaheens and Under-19 teams in recent years. Sarfaraz is believed to have advised the chairman to favor long-term appointments to ensure proper accountability and consistent player development.
The 38-year-old brings considerable experience to the job. He played 54 Tests, scoring 3,031 runs with four centuries and 21 fifties. He made 2,315 runs in 117 ODIs, including two hundreds and 11 fifties, while his 61 T20I appearances yielded 818 runs with three fifties.
As captain, Sarfaraz oversaw one of Pakistan’s most successful periods in white-ball cricket. He led the side to a Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, recorded a 70% win rate in ODIs, led Pakistan to a 62.5% win rate in the 2019 World Cup and recorded a 78.37% win rate in T20Is, winning 29 out of 37 matches.
He last represented Pakistan in a Test match against Australia in Perth in 2023.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 17, 2025
