Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to be formally appointed as the new head coach of Pakistan’s men’s Test cricket team, according to reports in the Pakistani media. Ahmed will fill the vacancy left by Azhar Mahmood’s departure from the interim post last year. The announcement is expected to be made official in the coming days.
Sarfaraz will take charge of the upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh in May, marking a new phase for the red-ball team during a crucial phase of the international cricket cycle.
Sarfaraz, who played 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is between 2007 and 2023, is best remembered for leading Pakistan to victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India. He led the team in 13 of the 54 matches he played in the red-ball format, securing four wins – most notably the famous win over England at Lord’s in 2018. His last appearance in Test cricket for Pakistan was against Australia in Perth in 2023.
SARFARAZ’S COACHING RUN
Sarfaraz started working with the Pakistan Shaheens and the U-19 setup in November 2025. The former goalkeeper captained Pakistan’s U-19 Asian Cup triumph, which defeated India in the final.
Pakistan’s Test campaign at the ICC World Test Championship began last October under Mahmood and resulted in a draw against South Africa at home. With one win and one loss, the team is currently fifth in the WTC standings.
Pakistan have never reached the finals of the WTC since its inception in 2019. Sarfaraz’s appointment will be the latest of many changes that have taken place in Pakistan cricket over the past few years, especially after a disappointing ICC campaign.
Pakistan have been without a permanent head coach for the red-ball format since the infamous departure of Jason Gillespie in 2025. Mike Hesson is currently the white-ball coach, but his position remains under scrutiny following Pakistan’s poor campaign in the 2026 FIFA T20 World Cup.
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Published on:
March 4, 2026 1:19 PM IST
