Hold onto your seats, cricket fans, because a legendary figure is poised to take the helm of Pakistan’s Test team—and it’s none other than Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former captain who famously led Pakistan to victory against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is a former player with limited coaching experience the right choice to lead a team currently ranked fifth in the World Test Championship? Let’s dive in.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the ex-Pakistan skipper, is on the brink of being appointed as the head coach of Pakistan’s Test side, a position that has remained vacant for nearly five months. During this interim period, Azhar Mahmood stepped in to oversee the team during their recent Test tour of South Africa. According to Geo News, Sarfaraz is expected to officially take charge ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh in May. Currently, he is with the Pakistan Shaheens in the UAE, where they are competing in T20 and one-day fixtures against the England Lions. An official announcement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is anticipated soon.
And this is the part most people miss: Sarfaraz’s coaching credentials have been steadily growing, particularly after he successfully guided Pakistan’s Under-19 side to an Asia Cup title. This achievement reportedly prompted several supporters to approach PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, urging him to entrust the senior red-ball team to the former captain. But is youth coaching experience enough to translate into success at the Test level? That’s a question that’s sure to spark debate.
Pakistan currently sits fifth in the World Test Championship standings, following their drawn home series against South Africa in October. Their next assignment begins on May 8, when they host Bangladesh for a two-Test contest. During his playing career, Sarfaraz featured in 54 Tests, scoring 3,031 runs with four centuries and 21 half-centuries. As captain, he led Pakistan in 13 Tests, securing four victories, including a memorable win at Lord’s against England in 2018. His most recent Test appearance was against Australia in Perth in 2023.
In white-ball cricket, Sarfaraz represented Pakistan in 117 ODIs, amassing 2,315 runs with two centuries and 11 fifties, and played 61 T20Is, scoring 818 runs. His captaincy record is particularly impressive, highlighted by Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy triumph. He also led the team at the 2019 ODI World Cup, where Pakistan narrowly missed a semi-final spot despite winning five of their nine league matches. In T20 internationals, his win rate as skipper stood at an impressive 78.37%.
Here’s the million-dollar question: Can Sarfaraz replicate his on-field leadership success as a coach? While his playing credentials are undeniable, coaching a Test team requires a different skill set. Will his experience with the Under-19 side and his understanding of Pakistan’s cricket culture be enough to elevate the senior team? Or is this appointment a risky gamble? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to divide opinions!
