Younis Khan tipped for Test coach as Hafeez eyes Director role in PCB
ISLAMABAD: By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan cricket is on the precipice of a seismic administrative and coaching shakeup. High-level sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reliably leaked that former legendary captain Younis Khan is the frontrunner to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as the national Test side’s head coach.
The radical restructuring plan doesn’t stop there. Former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is poised to be handed the vital reins of Director of International Cricket, marking one of the most aggressive management revamps the board has attempted in recent years.
The Fallout of the Bangladesh Disaster
The catalyst for this sudden acceleration is Pakistan’s recent red-ball tailspin. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the iconic architect of Pakistan’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy glory, was only appointed Test coach earlier this year. However, his debut assignment ended in disaster—a humiliating 2-0 away series whitewash against Bangladesh.
Coming on the heels of another recent Test series defeat to the same opposition, the board’s patience has worn entirely thin. Insiders confirm that intense dissatisfaction with the team’s technical regression and lack of grit has forced the PCB to pull the trigger on immediate leadership changes.
Test Captaincy on the Chopping Block
The shockwaves of the overhaul will also hit the playing eleven. Incumbent Test captain Shan Masood is reportedly on the verge of being stripped of his leadership role after leading the side through consecutive, bruising series losses.
Sources reveal that the PCB is seriously discussing versatile all-rounder Salman Ali Agha as the primary candidate to inherit the Test captaincy, though a formal decision is being kept under wraps until final board approvals.
The Legends Return: A Dual-Role Power Structure
The PCB is pivoting toward a “player-centric” governance model, leaning heavily on the credibility of weathered veterans. The strategy hinges on giving both Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez dual, overlapping powers across coaching and player selection:
Younis Khan (Proposed Test Head Coach & National Selector): A veteran of 118 Tests and Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup-winning captain, Younis is revered for his obsessive focus on fitness, mental discipline, and technical execution. His return is viewed as a rescue mission for Pakistan’s broken red-ball foundation.
Mohammad Hafeez (Proposed Director of International Cricket & National Selector): Hafeez is expected to fill the high-profile executive vacancy left open since Usman Wahla’s suspension in September last year. He will manage international operations, ICC scheduling, and simultaneously join the existing selection panel alongside Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Asad Shafiq.
What Happens to Sarfaraz?
Despite losing the top job, Sarfaraz Ahmed will not be completely cast aside. Recognizing his immense value as a mentor, the PCB plans to transition him to head the Pakistan Shaheens (the developmental and second-tier national squad). The board believes his leadership qualities are better suited to nurturing raw, emerging talent away from the high-pressure cooker of the senior Test arena.
A Gamble on Continuity vs. Change
While purists welcome the influx of legendary minds like Younis and Hafeez, critics note that the PCB is falling back on its habit of knee-jerk, cyclical sackings. Frequent structural resets have historically broken long-term planning and team chemistry.
However, behind closed doors in Lahore and Islamabad, the consensus is clear: drastic times call for drastic measures. An official announcement from the PCB is expected imminently, signaling the start of a bold, uncompromising era for Pakistan cricket.
