Babar Azam ‘courting’ future head coach to facilitate entry into the Pakistan squad

Pakistan's legendary batter Babar Azam made a heartwarming social media post wishing former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed success in the upcoming chapters of his life. This story was posted on his Instagram handle after the former Champions Trophy-winning skipper announced his retirement.

Pakistan cricket has been undergoing massive changes, and to better the results, changes would not only be needed in the players but also in the coaching staff, since they have been equally inefficient. These changes might be forced due to Pakistan's poor run in ICC tournaments as well as their humiliating form in red-ball cricket.

Pakistan's limited Test cricket success came against England in the last WTC cycle under Jason Gillespie, but then he left the role after some altercations with the PCB. Pakistan have just made a start to their WTC 2025-27 campaign and are level with a win and a loss in two games.

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Babar Azam wishes Sarfaraz Ahmed on his international retirement

As of 15th March 2026, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the last Pakistan captain to have won an ICC tournament for them, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 38-year-old played some glorious years for Pakistan and led them to their maiden Champions Trophy title in 2017.

Veteran batter Babar Azam was part of the Champions Trophy-winning squad under Sarfaraz Ahmed. On his retirement, he pens an inspiring goodbye to the former captain, wishing him luck for the upcoming chapters in his life.

Babar Azam's Instagram Story read, "Saifi Bhai, playing under your leadership was a privilege. Thank you for your guidance, belief and the memories you gave Pakistan cricket. Wishing you success and peace in this new chapter of life."

Babar Azam's Instagram story for Sarfaraz Ahmed. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5vcK9E9Feu

— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 15, 2026

Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to take charge as Pakistan's red-ball head coach

As per reliable media sources, it has almost been a fact that Pakistan's former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed will be appointed the next red ball coach for the national side, replacing Interim coach Azhar Mahmood, who took charge after Jason Gillespie's departure.

Though the official confirmation is yet to come, the news seems to be true as well as reliable. However, Sarfaraz announced his retirement and was seen serving as a member of the selection committee.

He is most likely to take charge of Pakistan's tour to Bangladesh. The two-match Test series will be part of their ICC World Test Championship schedule and is scheduled to be played in May.

Babar Azam had replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan's captain

Back in 2019, when Sarfaraz Ahmed had started to struggle with form in the T20Is and the Test sides, the PCB decided to sack him from captaincy and instead brought back Azhar Ali as the captain of the red ball side and announced young Babar Azam as the T20I skipper.

Babar eventually took charge as an all-format skipper for Pakistan, leading them on several occasions. However, Babar's stats as a captain, especially in ICC tournaments, seem awful, except for the fact that under his leadership, Pakistan won their only ICC T20 World Cup match against India.

His best tournament came in the 2022 T20 World Cup, when Pakistan reached the finals but fell short of the title after losing to England.

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