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The Pakistan National Cricket Team is all set to have a new captain for Test cricket, and that man could be Babar Azam. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has maintained silence on the major leadership change, reports suggest that serious discussions are taking place over the Test captaincy.
They are looking to rebuild after a disappointing run in Test cricket, and former captain Babar Azam has reportedly been approached by the PCB. However, the final decision has not yet been taken. Amid this, Babar Azam's contract status to remain secret as PCB hides player categories.
PCB muls major Test captaincy change as Babar Azam in line to replace Shan Masood
Pakistan’s current Test captain Shan Masood is under huge pressure after the team’s poor performances in the longest format of the game. Back-to-back defeats, including recent Test losses against Bangladesh, have raised big questions over Masood’s captaincy and the team's direction.
These disappointing results have reportedly forced the PCB to consider changing the leadership before Pakistan's next Test assignment, which is the two-match Test series against the West Indies. They will play two Tests in the West Indies starting July 25 and then three Tests against England in August.
Before these crucial overseas Tests, the Pakistan Cricket Board is ready to name a new Test captain. As reported by Pakistani journalists, Babar is the frontrunner to take over the Test captaincy of the national team once again. The senior batter has previously led Pakistan in all three formats and is now being considered for a return as the Test captain.
🚨 BABAR AZAM BACK AS TEST CAPTAIN 🚨
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) July 3, 2026
- Babar Azam is likely to be appointed as Pakistan's new Test captain. (Aurangzeb Younis) pic.twitter.com/Z9EjDaPYuO
Babar Azam yet to give final answer on captaincy return
However, reports also suggest that Babar has not yet given the green signal for the offer. It is being said that the former Pakistan captain wants clarity over his role before accepting the responsibility. Babar now wants strong support from the selectors and confidence that he will get enough time to build the team if he becomes captain again.
At the same time, some reports claim that Babar is also thinking about focusing only on his batting instead of taking on the extra pressure of captaincy. In this situation, there are other options available for the board if Babar denies the red-ball captaincy offer.
Pakistan’s vice-captain Saud Shakeel is one of the leading candidates because of his consistent performances and calm approach. And even all-rounder Salman Ali Agha is also in the discussion for the job since he also has the captaincy experience, having led them in T20Is.
Babar Azam's Test career
Babar made his Test debut in 2016 and soon became Pakistan's most reliable batter. His best came in 2022 when he amassed 1,184 Test runs, including a memorable 196 against Australia in Karachi. After that, the right-handed batter’s form dropped badly during 2023 and 2024, when he averaged only 21.36.
Overall, Babar has played 54 Tests for Pakistan, scoring 4648 runs with the help of 10 centuries at an average of 47.50 and a highest score of 196. As Pakistan's Test captain from 2021 to 2023, he led the team in 20 matches, winning 10, losing 5, and drawing 5 before stepping down from the role in 2023.
