The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to appoint former captain Younis Khan as the head coach of the national Test team, succeeding Sarfaraz Ahmed. This decision follows Sarfaraz’s short stint, which began in April and included leading Pakistan’s Under-19 team to victory in the 2025 Asia Cup.
During Sarfaraz’s tenure, he also managed the senior Test squad in a two-match series against Bangladesh as part of the ongoing World Test Championship. Unfortunately, Pakistan lost the series 2-0, sparking discussions about potential changes within the Test team management.
Notably, Sarfaraz, who famously captained Pakistan to their 2017 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy win, started his coaching role with the away series against Bangladesh. The series defeat has intensified speculation about a shakeup, including the possible replacement of Test captain Shan Masood. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha has emerged as a strong contender for the captaincy position.
In a significant development, the PCB is reportedly planning a broader restructuring of the national team’s management. This includes assigning prominent roles to former Pakistan cricket stars Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez, leveraging their experience to strengthen the team’s future prospects.
Younis Khan, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest cricketers, remains the country’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket. He also captained Pakistan to their only ICC T20 World Cup title in 2009. PCB officials view his extensive leadership background and cricketing expertise as vital for rebuilding the Test side.
Alongside his expected appointment as head coach, Younis is also anticipated to join the national selection committee, which currently includes Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. This move aims to consolidate the team’s strategic direction ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
