LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to appoint former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the Test head coach, with an official announcement expected in the coming days, ARY News reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
According to reports, Sarfaraz is likely to begin his tenure during Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh in May.
The Test head coach position has remained vacant since the departure of Azhar Mahmood in October 2025.
Azhar had been appointed interim head coach in June 2025, with his contract initially set to run until March 2026.
He oversaw Pakistan’s home series against South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw against the reigning world Test champions.
However, with no red-ball assignments scheduled until the Bangladesh tour in 2026, both Azhar and the PCB mutually agreed to conclude his tenure earlier than planned.
Before stepping into the interim role, Azhar had served as an all-formats assistant coach since April 2024.
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Sarfaraz’s elevation comes on the back of his recent stint as mentor of Pakistan’s Under-19 side.
Under his guidance, Pakistan clinched the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025 title after defeating India in the final, a triumph that significantly strengthened his credentials for a senior role.
However, the team fell short at the ICC U19 World Cup 2026, exiting at the Super Six stage without reaching the semi-finals.
Sources suggest the PCB views the leadership experience of Sarfaraz Ahmed as a key factor in entrusting him with the Test side.
Pakistan are scheduled to tour Bangladesh in May for a two-match Test series, with the first Test beginning on May 8 and the second on May 16.
A seasoned wicketkeeper-batter, the 38-year-old has been one of Pakistan’s reliable performers in the longer format. In 54 Tests, he has scored 3,031 runs at an average of 37.41, including four centuries and 21 half-centuries.
In One Day Internationals, Sarfaraz accumulated 2,315 runs in 117 matches at 33.55, registering two centuries and 11 fifties. He also represented Pakistan in 61 T20Is, scoring 818 runs at a strike rate of 125.26.