LAHORE — Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan is highly anticipated to step in as the national Test team’s new head coach, following reports on Saturday indicating a major overhaul of the management structure in the wake of recent disappointing performances.
According to sources close to the development, current Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was appointed to the position in April of this year, faces imminent removal after a highly discouraging start to his coaching tenure. Sarfaraz began his stint with a two-match away Test series against Bangladesh, which formed part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship cycle.
The campaign ended in disaster for Pakistan, enduring a 2-0 series whitewash. This marked the national side’s second consecutive Test series defeat against Bangladesh, triggering intense public and institutional scrutiny over the management’s direction in red-ball cricket.
Following these consecutive losses, reports suggest that wider structural changes are being finalized by the cricket board. This includes a comprehensive review of leadership positions, with Shan Masood’s role as Test captain also reportedly under intense evaluation.
Sources indicate that Younis Khan, one of Pakistan’s most accomplished red-ball batters and a highly respected former captain, has emerged as the frontline candidate to assume the Test head coach mantle. Furthermore, he is expected to be formally integrated into the national selection committee, granting him significant authority over the team’s upcoming restructuring process.
Despite losing his responsibilities with the senior national outfit, Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to retain an active developmental role within the pipeline, likely continuing his association with the Pakistan Shaheens development squad. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has held back from making an official media announcement, high-level discussions regarding the coaching and selection framework are actively underway.
