According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning major changes to the Test team after Pakistan’s 0-2 series loss to Bangladesh. Test captain Shan Masood and Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed could be removed from their roles as part of the overhaul. Masood took over as skipper in December 2023, and Pakistan has struggled under him.
During his tenure, Pakistan are 4-12 in Test cricket. He’s won just one series, 2-1 against England, and has been whitewashed at home by Australia, Bangladesh and South Africa. This humiliation away from home seems to be the final pin in the coffin. It’s reported that Masood has requested to extend his run for the next 2 Test series, the West Indies and England, both away from home. It’s yet to be seen whether PCB will accept this proposition.
PCB Plans Major Test Team Overhaul After Bangladesh Series Defeat
If Shan Masood is removed as Test captain, Salman Ali Agha is likely to take over the role. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was appointed Pakistan’s Test coach in April, may lose his position after his first assignment, the Bangladesh series. Sarfaraz is expected to continue as the director of the Pakistan Shaheens and the Under-19 team.
Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket, is expected to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as the Test coach if the PCB goes ahead with the changes. Mohammed Hafeez, who has served as team director and interim coach before, will take over as the director of international cricket. Both Younis and Hafeez will also join the selection committee alongside Sarfaraz, Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Asad Shafiq. Asad will continue serving as the Test batting coach, Umar Gul as the bowling coach, and Shane McDermott as the fielding coach. Pakistan will travel to Trinidad for a 2-match Test series against the West Indies in mid-July and depart for England for a 3-match Test series in August.