Pakistan are preparing to replace Shan Masood with Babar Azam as Test captain after the ongoing Bangladesh series, according to a report by news agency PTI on Wednesday. This development follows Pakistan's 104-run defeat in the opening Test in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Performance criticism
There has been significant criticism in Pakistan over the team's performance and Masood's captaincy after the defeat. Masood also struggled with the bat, failing in both innings of the match. The loss has prompted discussions within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about a leadership change.
Babar Azam's return
Discussions have started over bringing Babar back as Test captain for the remaining matches of the current World Test Championship cycle, PTI reported while quoting a source. Pakistan still have seven Tests left this year. Babar missed the first Test against Bangladesh due to a knee injury but is expected to return for the second Test starting May 18.
"Some influential figures in the Pakistan Cricket Board also want Babar back as captain and believe this is the right time to give him another run at captaincy," the source said. The PTI report added that there is also support within the team for Babar to return as Test captain.
Current captaincy structure
All three Pakistan captains across formats are currently part of the Bangladesh tour squad, including ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha. The source indicated that if Babar plays the second Test and regains his batting form, he is a strong contender to come back as captain.
"If Babar plays the second Test and regains his batting form, he is a strong contender to come back as captain. Initial exchanges with some board officials indicate he is also not averse to becoming captain again," a source was quoted as saying by PTI.
Future plans
The source also said that the plan is to first bring Babar back as Test captain and later prepare him to take over as ODI captain before next year's World Cup. Babar was captain across all three formats between 2019 and 2023 before stepping down after the 2023 World Cup in India. He later returned as T20 captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup but stepped down again after Pakistan's poor campaign.
Shan Masood's situation
The source said Masood himself was disappointed after the defeat in Dhaka and is now seriously considering taking up a permanent role with the Pakistan Cricket Board. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had offered Masood the role of Director of International Cricket and Player Affairs last year, but he had decided to continue until the end of the current World Test Championship cycle.
Masood has led Pakistan in Tests since December 2023. Under his captaincy, Pakistan have lost 11 of their 15 matches. The team's recent performances have raised questions about his leadership and the overall direction of the Test side.
