Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former captain of Pakistan, has been given major new duties by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is a huge change to the junior cricket system in the nation. The former wicketkeeper-batter has reportedly been given the responsibility of managing the Pakistan Shaheens and the Pakistan Under-19 squads going ahead.
Both parties are getting ready for significant impending missions, thus his appointment comes at a critical moment. The Pakistan Under-19 team is preparing for the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, while the Pakistan Shaheens are in Doha for the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025.
Sarfaraz has been instructed by the PCB to oversee all affairs pertaining to the Pakistan Shaheens and the Under-19 team, according to a report by Geo News. His responsibilities will include keeping a careful eye on both teams’ coaching staffs’ performance and assessing their development throughout practice and competition.
To ensure that the junior teams’ preparation stays in accordance with the board’s long-term development plans, the captain, who won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, will be with them during practice sessions, series, and foreign engagements.
Sarfaraz’s most important task will be to manage the Under-19 team’s preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2026.
The competition, which will take place in January and February of next year in Namibia and Zimbabwe, is an important chance for Pakistan’s cricket players of the future.
Sarfaraz will be helpful to the team’s preparation because of his background in high-pressure situations and his knowledge of young cricket, having guided Pakistan to the 2006 Under-19 World Cup championship.
Before his international career came to an end, the 38-year-old former cricket player made his final appearance for Pakistan in December 2023. Sarfaraz made his debut in 2007 and played for Pakistan for 16 years, appearing in 54 Test matches, 117 ODIs, and 61 T20Is. In the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final in England, he led the national team to a remarkable and resounding victory over bitter rivals India, for which he is still praised.
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