Shan Masood’s tenure as Pakistan’s Test captain has been disastrous, with six consecutive losses under his leadership. After Pakistan’s whitewash by Bangladesh, many demanded his removal, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) kept faith in him for the crucial England series. However, following a humiliating defeat in the Multan Test, Samaa TV reporter Qadir Khawaja revealed that the PCB plans to remove Shan Masood as captain after the series.
Candidates in line to replace Shan Masood include Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Ali Agha, with the selection committee expected to meet soon to make a final decision.
Pakistan cricket has seen considerable changes in recent years, with Babar Azam removed from captaincy after a poor 2023 World Cup performance, and the PCB adopting a split captaincy approach. Shan Masood took over the Test team, starting with a tour of Australia, where Pakistan lost all their matches. Confusion in leadership also extended to the white-ball formats, leading to further instability.
Babar recently stepped down as captain in the white-ball formats following Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. With Masood’s underwhelming results, his removal seems imminent unless Pakistan manages to win the remaining two Tests against England. The next Test begins in Multan on October 15, followed by the final Test in Rawalpindi.
