The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are considering sacking Shan Masood as Test captain, as per reports. The rumours have come after Pakistan's abysmal performance in the recent Test series against Bangladesh.
The Shan Masood-led side went down 2-0 to Bangladesh at home. In fact, these two losses were Pakistan's first-ever to Bangladesh in Tests. Moreover, Pakistan have now failed to win a single Test at home since August 2021.
Masood, earlier in the 2023-24 season, failed to win a match in his first assignment as Pakistan's Test skipper. Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 by Australia in Australia. Three massive defeats Down Under, followed by the miserable outing in Rawalpindi, has put the 34-year-old's job in massive doubt.
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Reports: Pakistan to remove Shan Masood as Test captain
As per a report in Cricket Pakistan website, the 34-year-old is in serious danger of being removed as Pakistan's Test captain.
Pakistan's new head coach Jason Gillespie had lauded Masood's capabilities to fulfil the role of captain. However, the PCB has apparently decided things won't take a turn for the better.
Masood, who replaced Babar Azam as the Test captain only in November 2023, could face the sack, ten months into his role. He has infamously become the only Pakistan skipper to fail to win a single Test in the first five matches as captain.
MORE: Imran Khan rages at PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi after Test series loss
What is Shan Masood's record as Pakistan skipper?
| Opposition | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Test (Dec 14 - Dec 17, 2023) | AUS won by 360 runs |
| Australia | 2nd Test (Dec 26 - Dec 29, 2023) | AUS won by 79 runs |
| Australia | 3rd Test (Jan 03 - Jan 06, 2024) | AUS won by 8 wickets |
| Bangladesh | 1st Test (Aug 21 - Aug 25, 2024) | BAN won by 10 wickets |
| Bangladesh | 2nd Test (Aug 30 - Sep 03, 2024) | BAN won by 6 wickets |
Who could replace Shan Masood as Pakistan's Test captain?
Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Muhammad Rizwan is pipped to succeed Shan Masood as Pakistan's red-ball skipper, should PCB put their ideas into action as per the report. It remains to be seen if Masood is removed from his captaincy, but Rizwan is one of the front-runners to assume the role if that is the case.
Babar Azam was relieved off his duties as Test captain in November 2023, and is unlikely to be brought back at the helm by PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi.
MORE: Ravichandran Ashwin feels sorry for 'brilliant' Shan Masood
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