PCB retains Shan Masood, hands head coach role to Sarfaraz Ahmed

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to retain Shan Masood as the captain of the Test team, while former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to take over as head coach.

The board is expected to make a formal announcement following the release of the schedule for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

Sources indicate that Sarfaraz Ahmed will replace Azhar Mahmood and assume the role of head coach for the first time.

He is currently serving as a national selector, while Shan Masood continues to lead the Test side. Pakistan is likely to play three Test series against Bangladesh, West Indies, and England.

Pakistan last played a Test series against South Africa in October, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The decision to retain Shan Masood reflects a policy of continuity within the team.

Currently, Mike Hesson serves as the white-ball head coach, while Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the ODI side and Salman Ali Agha captains the T20 team.

Meanwhile, a red-ball training camp is underway at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore under the supervision of Sarfaraz Ahmed, with national academy coaches also in attendance.

Young opener Azan Awais has impressed with outstanding performances in domestic red-ball cricket. The 21-year-old scored 844 runs for Sialkot Region in the 2024–25 season, topping the batting charts.

In his debut first-class season (Quaid-e-Azam Trophy), he registered four centuries and two half-centuries.

Sialkot clinched the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title largely due to his performances. He also scored 578 runs in the President’s Trophy Grade-I and 803 runs in the 2025–26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, guiding his team to the final. Representing SNGPL, he added another 448 runs to his tally.

Azan Awais said the red-ball camp at the National Cricket Academy is providing valuable learning opportunities.

He added that the past two seasons have been crucial for his first-class career, while a tour of England, though challenging, proved highly beneficial for his development.

He further stated that playing in different conditions has boosted his confidence, and his ultimate goal is to represent Pakistan in all formats, with a special focus on Test cricket.