On 15 March 2026, Sarfaraz Ahmed announced his retirement from international cricket. Just over a month later, on 18 April 2026, he was appointed as the Test team coach for Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The swift transition from player to coach has drawn attention, although Sarfaraz had already been involved with the national side prior to his retirement, including serving as a selector.
At 38, the former wicketkeeper-batsman has taken charge of the Test side amid a period of instability in Pakistan’s coaching structure. Several former cricketers in Pakistan have expressed criticism of his appointment, citing his relatively limited coaching experience at the highest level. Nevertheless, Sarfaraz has assumed his duties and travelled with the squad to Bangladesh, where Pakistan are scheduled to play a two-match Test series. Members of the touring party arrived in Dhaka on Sunday morning.
In recent years, the PCB has struggled to maintain continuity in the Test coaching position. Before Sarfaraz’s appointment, the role had remained vacant for several months. Azhar Mahmood served in an interim capacity during the home series against South Africa in October last year, but his tenure was not extended. Prior to him, Aaqib Javed had taken over the role following the departure of Jason Gillespie. These frequent changes have occurred since 2024, with all previous appointees being considerably experienced in coaching.
Sarfaraz last represented Pakistan in December 2023 and continued to play first-class cricket as recently as October 2025. Shortly thereafter, he became actively involved in the PCB’s coaching framework. In November, he was assigned oversight responsibilities for Pakistan Shaheens (the ‘A’ team) and the Under-19 side. His duties included managing team operations, coordinating with coaching staff, developing player pathways, and identifying and nurturing emerging talent.
In December of the same year, he was appointed as a consultant for Pakistan’s Under-19 team during the Asia Cup held in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan won the tournament, defeating India in the final, a result that strengthened the PCB’s confidence in Sarfaraz’s coaching capabilities. This development contributed to his subsequent appointment as Test coach for the Bangladesh tour.
Sarfaraz’s credentials as a player and leader remain notable. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, their first 50-over ICC title since the 1992 World Cup. Despite entering that tournament as the lowest-ranked team, Pakistan secured the title under his leadership.
His international career statistics are summarised below:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 50s | 100s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 54 | 3,031 | 37.41 | 21 | 4 | — |
| ODI | 117 | 2,315 | 33.55 | 11 | 2 | — |
| T20I | 61 | 818 | — | — | — | 125.26 |
Responding to criticism from former players and media discussions, Sarfaraz recently stated in Karachi that while others are entitled to their opinions, he remains positive about making the most of the opportunity.
The two-match Test series against Bangladesh forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. The first Test is scheduled to begin on 8 May in Dhaka, followed by the second Test on 16 May in Sylhet.