The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly set to remove Shan Masood from the captaincy of the national Test team following a series of disappointing performances.
This decision comes in the wake of Pakistan’s recent defeat to England, where they lost by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test held in Multan.
This loss marked the sixth consecutive defeat for Masood since he took over as captain, raising serious questions about his leadership capabilities.
Why Shan Masood will be removed from Captaincy?
Shan Masood was appointed as the captain of the Pakistan Test team in December 2023, with expectations that he would lead the team effectively through various challenges.
However, under his captaincy, Pakistan has struggled significantly, suffering defeats in all six Tests played during his tenure.
Notably, the team experienced a historic 0-2 series loss to Bangladesh—Pakistan’s first-ever Test series defeat to that nation—and a 0-3 series loss to Australia before facing England.
The recent match against England was particularly humiliating for Masood and the team. Despite scoring 556 runs in their first innings, Pakistan became the first team in Test history to lose by an innings after scoring over 500 runs.
England’s remarkable performance, led by Joe Root and Harry Brook, who scored 262 and 317 respectively, overshadowed Pakistan’s batting efforts.
The team’s inability to back up their strong batting performance with effective bowling resulted in a swift collapse in their second innings, where they were bowled out for just 220 runs.
Who will be the Next Captain of the Pakistan Test Team?
As discussions regarding Masood’s removal intensify, several candidates have emerged as potential successors for the captaincy.
Mohammad Rizwan is widely regarded as a leading candidate, alongside Agha Salman and Saud Shakeel.
The PCB’s selection committee is expected to finalize these decisions during a meeting scheduled for Friday.
The PCB’s decision to potentially replace Masood comes amid broader concerns about the team’s overall performance and standing in international cricket.
Currently, Pakistan sits at the bottom of the World Test Championship table, having not won a single home Test since July 2023.
The upcoming second Test against England will be crucial not only for the team’s morale but also for determining whether Masood will continue to lead them through this challenging period or if a new captain will take charge ahead of future tours, including an upcoming trip to South Africa.
