Blow for Babar Azam as Shan Masood to be retained as Test captain, confirms PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi

Shan Masood is set to be retained as the Pakistan Test captain. Speculations were rife that the new administration at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could remove the left-handed batsman as Test captain just like Shaheen Afridi was removed as the T20I captain earlier this year.

Both Afridi and Masood were appointed as the T20I and Test captains in November last year. The PCB made the changes after Babar Azam stepped down from the post following Pakistan's dismal show at the ODI World Cup where they failed to progress ahead of the league stage. 

Masood's first series as Test captain was a challenging tour of Australia. While Pakistan did show some positive signs during the three-match series, they ended up losing all three games. Masood's batting was not very promising either as he managed to score a modest 181 runs in 6 innings.

On the other hand, Afridi began his captaincy stint with a 1-4 loss in New Zealand. Soon after the defeat, the PCB sacked him as the T20I captain and reinstated Babar. At that time, reports stated that Babar might have accepted the offer of becoming the T20I captain on the condition that he would get the Test captaincy as well.

However, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that there would be no change in the Test captaincy and Shan Masood will continue to lead the team in red-ball cricket. The PCB chairman also said that he has received positive reports on the batsman from many sources.

"Shan Masood will not be removed from test captaincy of Pakistan Cricket Team. I have received positive reports regarding Shan from many sources," said Mohsin Naqvi.

🚨 Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi - "Shan Masood will NOT be removed from test captaincy of Pakistan Cricket Team. I have received positive reports regarding Shan from many sources." #PCB

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) July 4, 2024

Masood is currently in the UK where he is plying his trade for Yorkshire in county cricket. The southpaw is also leading Yorkshire this season. He is the third-highest run-scorer for Yorkshire in county championship division two. In 8 games, the Pakistan star has scored 520 runs with the help of two centuries and one century.

Shan Masood eyes first Test series win:

Shan Masood will be eyeing his first Test series win as a captain when he leads Pakistan in the upcoming series against Bangladesh. Pakistan is scheduled to host Bangladesh for two Tests in August this year. After the series against Bangladesh, Pakistan will also host England for three Tests.

With only 2 wins from 5 games, Pakistan are currently languishing at the fifth spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table and will be looking to improve their position by doing well in the home Tests.