Babar Azam is all set to commence his 2nd innings as the skipper as he has been named as Pakistan cricket team’s new Test captain. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to sack Shan Masood as the captain in the longest format of the game following the series loss against Bangladesh. Azam, who stepped down as the Test captain in 2023, will return to the top post and the two-match series against West Indies which begins later this month will be his first assignment.
Babar Azam returns as Pakistan Test captain
As per Cricinfo, the elevation of Babar as the Test skipper comes as a part of the squad announcement for the WI vs PAK Test series. Masood, who was named the Test skipper nearly three years ago, led Pakistan in 16 Tests out of which the side lost 12. His poor run as captain is the primary reason as to why he has been sacked by the PCB. Under Shan’s captaincy, Pakistan finished at the rock-bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC 2023/25) points table, and currently find themselves once again at the bottom in the ongoing cycle.
He won just one series, 2-1 against England, and has been whitewashed at home by Australia, Bangladesh and South Africa. The loss to BAN away from home was the final nail in the coffin for Masood. While Shan had reportedly requested the PCB to extend his tenure, the board has decided to against it and has moved on.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s decision to hand over the reins of the Test team to Babar once again indicates the lack of leadership options faced by the PCB. While Azam’s form across fomats, in Tests as well, has been worrisome, his record as captain is decent. He has led Pakistan to 10 victories in 20 Tests that he has captained. Reports also claimed that Pakistan is also likely to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as the Test team coach following the loss to BAN.
Babar Azam’s Pakistan will take on West Indies next in a two-match series followed by a three-match series against England in the UK. They will then play Tests against New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home later this year.
Pakistan squad for West Indies Tests
Babar Azam (capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghouri, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
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