Pakistan are expected to make a captaincy change in Test cricket after the ongoing tour of Bangladesh, with Shan Masood likely to be replaced by Babar Azam as Test skipper, a report said on Wednesday. The development follows Pakistan’s 104-run loss in the opening Test at Dhaka on Tuesday, a result that has intensified criticism inside the country about the side’s overall showing and Masood’s leadership.
Masood’s batting form also came under scrutiny, with the Test captain failing in both innings during the Dhaka defeat. In the wake of that loss, discussions have begun around reinstating Babar as Test captain for the remainder of Pakistan’s current World Test Championship schedule. Pakistan still have seven Tests left this year, and the debate is centred on whether Babar should be brought back for the next stretch of matches.
Masood has been at the helm in Tests since December 2023. Under his captaincy, Pakistan have lost 11 of their 15 matches, a record that has added weight to calls for a change in leadership. Babar, meanwhile, missed the first Bangladesh Test due to a knee injury, but is expected to return for the second Test, which begins on May 18.
One of the key points raised in the report is that some influential figures within the Pakistan Cricket Board also want Babar to resume the role, arguing that it is the right moment to give him another opportunity as captain. The report also suggested that there is backing for Babar’s return from within the playing group.
At present, all three Pakistan captains across formats are part of the Bangladesh tour squad. That includes ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, alongside the current Test captain. The timing of any decision would therefore need to align with the Test schedule and the players’ availability during the series.
- Pakistan suffered a 104-run defeat in the opening Test at Dhaka on Tuesday, drawing fresh criticism of Masood’s captaincy and team performance.
- Masood also struggled with the bat in that match, failing in both innings.
- After the loss, discussions started over bringing Babar back as Test captain for the remaining matches of the current World Test Championship cycle.
- Babar is expected to return for the second Test at Dhaka on May 18 after missing the first match because of a knee injury.
- If Babar plays the second Test and regains his batting rhythm, he is viewed as a strong contender to take over the captaincy again.
The report further claimed that initial conversations with certain board officials point to the possibility that Babar is not opposed to returning to the captaincy role. It also outlined a broader plan: first reintroduce him as Test captain, and then prepare him to assume the ODI captaincy ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Babar had previously led Pakistan in all three formats between 2019 and 2023. He stepped down after the 2023 World Cup in India, later returning as T20 captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup. That stint ended again after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the tournament.
In addition, the report stated that Masood himself was disappointed after the Dhaka defeat and is seriously considering taking up a long-term role within the Pakistan Cricket Board. It also recalled that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had offered Masood the position of Director of International Cricket and Player Affairs last year. Masood chose to continue as captain through the end of the current World Test Championship cycle before making any further decision.
