Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to take over as head coach of the Pakistan men’s Test team, with an official announcement likely in the coming days.

 

The head coach position has remained vacant since October 2025. Azhar Mahmood handled the role on an interim basis during Pakistan’s recent Test series against South Africa.

 

According to media reports, Sarfaraz will begin his duties during Pakistan’s upcoming two match Test series against Bangladesh in May. The series will be part of the World Test Championship.

 

Pakistan and Bangladesh will play the first Test on May 8, followed by the second Test starting on May 16.

 

Sarfaraz recently worked as a mentor for Pakistan’s Under 19 team that won the Asia Cup. He currently serves with the Pakistan Shaheens, who are touring the United Arab Emirates for a T20 and one day series against the England Lions.

 

The wicketkeeper batter played 54 Test matches and scored 3,031 runs, including four centuries and 21 half centuries. In 117 One Day Internationals, he scored 2,315 runs with two hundreds and 11 fifties. He also featured in 61 T20 Internationals and scored 818 runs with three half centuries.

 

Sarfaraz built a strong reputation as captain as well. He led Pakistan to the Champions Trophy title in 2017, where the team defeated India by 180 runs in the final. He recorded a 70 percent win rate as ODI captain and guided Pakistan to five wins in nine matches at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. In T20 Internationals, his teams won 29 of 37 matches, giving him a win rate of 78.37 percent.

 

He last played a Test match for Pakistan against Australia in Perth in 2023.