The future of Shan Masood as Pakistan's Test captain remains uncertain as the team prepares for upcoming tours of the West Indies and England. Since taking over in December 2023, Masood has led Pakistan to only 4 wins in 16 Tests, suffering 12 defeats—making him the second most unsuccessful captain in Pakistan's history, behind Misbah-ul-Haq who had 19 losses in 56 matches.
Performance Under Shan Masood
Pakistan has lost six Test series and drawn four since March 2022, winning only two—one against Sri Lanka and another against England at home. Even those victories were controversial, with pitches prepared to resemble Day 5 surfaces from the start. The team lost two series to Bangladesh, highlighting a deep-rooted crisis.
Despite Masood's personal improvement as a batter—scoring 910 runs since January 1, 2024, making him Pakistan's second-highest run-scorer after Mohammad Rizwan (1080)—his leadership has been criticized. Senior teammates reportedly did not fully support him, and his soft approach on the field proved detrimental. During the Bangladesh series, even for reviews, no one seemed willing to assist him.
Team Rankings and Player Performance
Pakistan is currently ranked eighth among ten Test teams. No Pakistani batter features in the top 18 globally, and among the top 26 bowlers, only Nauman Ali (7th) is present. Babar Azam has managed only 632 runs at an average of 28 since January 1, 2024. The team's overall performance has led to calls for change, but options are limited.
Leadership Options Limited
Babar Azam has already failed as captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi is out of Test plans, and Salman Ali Agha emerges as the most likely candidate. Salman is Pakistan's second-highest run-scorer from 2023 to 2026 with 1127 runs, behind Rizwan (1188) and ahead of Shan (1107). However, he did not succeed as T20 captain, and his Test leadership potential is untested. Rizwan's age and declining reflexes as a wicketkeeper, along with inconsistent batting, make him an unlikely choice. Saud Shakeel's career is unstable after struggling abroad.
Selection and Domestic Cricket Issues
The domestic system is failing to produce quality players. Constant experimentation has damaged the system. Young players like Azaan Awais and Abdullah Fazal have performed well, but they need proper grooming before being rushed into international cricket. The inclusion of a requirement in central contracts to play first-class matches is a positive step to develop players' ability to bat long and bowl extended spells.
Fast Bowling Decline
Pakistan has fallen behind even Bangladesh in fast bowling. Genuine pacers who can intimidate opposition batters are needed, not those who get exhausted after a few overs. Fitness must be improved to prevent injuries after just two matches.
Upcoming Tours and Future
Pakistan will play 2 Tests in the West Indies and 3 in England. The board had already made a decision to remove Masood, but he requested a chance in these tours. Sarfaraz Ahmed, with his excellent cricketing mind, could bring positive change if given a free hand. The team's poor performances are unacceptable, and if the ICC approves a two-tier Test Championship system, Pakistan may end up playing only against lower-ranked teams, threatening the future of Test cricket in the country.
