The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to continue with Shan Masood as the captain of the Test team, while former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to be appointed as the red-ball head coach, according to media reports.
An official announcement on both appointments is expected once the schedule for Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against Bangladesh is finalized.
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Reports indicate that the two-match series is tentatively scheduled for May 8 and May 16, although the Bangladesh Cricket Board has not yet confirmed the venues.
If the decision goes through, it will mark Sarfaraz Ahmed’s first assignment as head coach of the Test side.
He is expected to replace Azhar Mahmood, who had been serving in an interim capacity.
The head coach position has remained vacant since Azhar’s exit in October 2025, even though his contract was originally set to run until March 2026.
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Sarfaraz is also likely to continue his duties as a national selector alongside his coaching responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the PCB’s decision to retain Shan Masood as Test captain reflects its focus on maintaining stability in red-ball cricket.
Masood was appointed Test captain in November 2023 and is expected to continue leading the side as Pakistan progress through the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
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During this cycle, Pakistan are scheduled to play Test series against Bangladesh, West Indies, and England as they aim to build consistency in the longest format of the game.
