The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has replaced struggling Test captain Shan Masood with star batsman Babar Azam, who will begin a third stint as skipper on the tours of the West Indies and England starting later this month. The decision was announced on Sunday by chief selector Aqib Javed during a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium.
Shan Masood's Tenure Ends After 12 Losses
Masood, 36, took over from Azam in December 2023 and led the side to 12 defeats in 16 Tests. Pakistan finished ninth and last in the previous World Test Championship cycle and again lie ninth in the current cycle after a 2-0 series defeat in Bangladesh in May. Javed said the selection committee, which included Misbahul Haq, unanimously endorsed Babar after Masood failed to deliver satisfactory results during his tenure as red-ball captain.
"Azam will be our new Test captain as we feel that Masood could not lead as desired," Javed said. "The selection committee discussed who could be the best player to lead Pakistan, and Babar Azam is the best option." He added that Masood's individual performance had been satisfactory, but he did not fare well as captain. Under Masood's captaincy, Pakistan lost matches from positions of strength, and the nature of the defeats was repetitive. "The Test matches were lost by close margins, and the captain could not lead from the front," Javed said. "Besides individual responsibilities, a captain has to finish games, maintain the over rate during a Test match and make the right call at the toss."
Babar Azam's Third Captaincy Stint
This will be top-order batter Azam's third spell in charge of the side, having stepped down in November 2023 and again in October 2024. During his previous tenures, Pakistan won 10 of the 20 Tests played under his captaincy. Responding to a query, Javed said Salman Ali Agha was not considered for the Test captaincy. Considering Babar Azam's past achievements, he was the selectors' preferred choice and brings the confidence and composure needed to lead the team on challenging overseas tours.
Misbahul Haq said Babar Azam is an all-format player and his performances have proved it. "Babar Azam was the highest run-getter in PSL 11 and leads the ICC batting charts in T20Is. His recent form with the bat in PSL 11 has proved his worth in T20Is," he said.
Upcoming Series and Squad Changes
Pakistan will play the first of two Tests against the West Indies in Tarouba, Trinidad, from July 25. The second begins in Port of Spain on August 2. Pakistan will then travel to England for Tests at Headingley, beginning on August 19, Lord's from August 27 and Edgbaston from September 9.
Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali were omitted after being part of the squad that lost 2-0 in Bangladesh. The selectors awarded a place to 20-year-old uncapped fast bowler Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of Naseem Shah, who was left out of the squad. Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali were the three other fast bowlers selected. Uncapped middle-order batter Awais Zafar and left-arm spinner Ali Usman were included for the first time. "It is not the end of the road for Naseem Shah," Javed said.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness for England).
