PCB considering ex-Pak captain with ICC trophy for chief selector role: reports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly set to bring former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed into the national selection committee, with a strong chance that he will be appointed as the new chief selector, a private media outlet has claimed.

While there is no official confirmation as of yet, reports said that a formal announcement could come in the next few days. 

The 37-year-old last played for Pakistan in a Test match in 2023 and has served the country in all three formats, leading the team to their memorable Champions Trophy win in 2017. 

Sarfaraz had briefly taken on a mentorship role, which was recently discontinued, but PCB officials now believe his close understanding of current players, many of whom he has played alongside, could make him an asset in selecting the right squads and identifying emerging talent.

With new captains, coaching appointments and a fresh approach on the horizon, the PCB is looking to build a system that focuses on modern tactics, player management and long-term planning. Sarfaraz’s likely appointment as chief selector would be a key part of that process.

Separately, reports said that former Pakistan captain Misbah Ul Haq is likely to be appointed as the head coach for Test.

Misbah, who previously served as head coach and chief selector from 2019 to 2021, is being considered for the red-ball slot as the PCB plans to strengthen its Test team.

While an official statement is awaited, there have also been reports that Saud Shakeel is set to replace Shan Masood as the new Test captain. The 29-year-old vice-captain has shown strong and consistent performances, making him a top candidate for the leadership role. 

As part of the revamp plans, Mike Hesson has been appointed as the white-ball head coach and Aqib Javed has been told to lead the national side’s high-performance setup.