Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to be appointed as the new head coach of the Pakistan Test cricket team, sources revealed on Wednesday, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
According to insiders, Sarfaraz will assume the role during Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against the Bangladesh national cricket team in May.
The assignment will mark his first stint as head coach at the senior Test level after successfully mentoring Pakistan’s Under-19 Asia Cup-winning squad.
The Pakistan Test head coach position has remained vacant since October 2025. Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood served as interim head coach during the recent Test series against South Africa.
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Pakistan are scheduled to face Bangladesh in two Test matches, starting on May 8 and May 16, respectively. The series will form part of the ICC World Test Championship, making it a crucial phase for Pakistan’s red-ball campaign.
Sarfaraz is currently working with Pakistan Shaheens, who are competing against the England Lions in a T20 and one-day series in the United Arab Emirates.
The wicketkeeper-batter brings vast international experience, having played 54 Test matches, scoring 3,031 runs with four centuries and 21 half-centuries. In 117 ODIs, he accumulated 2,315 runs, while in 61 T20Is, he scored 818 runs.
Sarfaraz’s leadership experience remains among his strongest assets. He captained Pakistan to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, defeating India by 180 runs in the final.
Under his leadership, Pakistan recorded a 70% win rate in ODIs, a 62.5% success rate at the Cricket World Cup, and an impressive 78.37% win rate in T20 internationals.
The 38-year-old last appeared in Test cricket during Pakistan’s match against Australia in Perth in 2023. If confirmed, his appointment is expected to bring stability and renewed focus to Pakistan’s red-ball setup ahead of key World Test Championship fixtures.
