Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to bring in former captain Younis Khan as the new Test head coach, replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed following a disappointing run in the longest format, media reports have said.
Sarfaraz was appointed head coach in April this year, with his first assignment being a two-match away Test series against Bangladesh. Pakistan lost both matches, suffering a 2-0 whitewash, their second consecutive series defeat against the same opposition in Test cricket.
The back-to-back losses against Bangladesh appear to have sealed Sarfaraz’s fate in the role, though reports suggest he will continue to work with Pakistan Shaheens.
Test captain Shan Masood is also reportedly under pressure, with all-rounder Salman Ali Agha being considered as a potential successor.
Younis, who captained Pakistan to their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2009, is expected to take on a dual role.
Along with the head coaching position, he is also likely to be included in the national men’s selection committee, which currently comprises Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is also set for a return to cricket administration.
According to reports, Hafeez is likely to be appointed Director of International Cricket, a role that has been vacant since the PCB suspended Usman Wahla in September last year.
Hafeez, who represented Pakistan in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is, is also expected to join the selection committee alongside Younis.
