Shan Masood: New Pakistan captain faces tough baptism in Australia

The appointment of Shan Masood as the new captain of the Pakistan Test cricket team concluded a period of turmoil, marked by dramatic developments orchestrated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The sequence of events began with a press release attributing the historic World Cup defeat to Afghanistan to the incumbent captain Babar Azam and then-chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. Subsequently, Azam voluntarily stepped down, and Masood and Shaheen Afridi were announced as the new Test and T20 captains, respectively, while Mohammad Hafeez replaced Mickey Arthur as team director.

The aftermath saw recriminations and scrutiny of PCB officials after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the World Cup in India. The new Test captain, Masood, known for his astuteness, exemplary fitness, and amiable personality, has faced challenges in securing a permanent place in the Test side despite making his debut over a decade ago. His appointment follows Babar Azam, who, despite not being known for astute captaincy, led based on prolific batting.

Masood, now elevated to Band B in the PCB’s central contract list, brings notable experience, having captained in 33 first-class matches, winning 17 and losing only five. While his Test batting numbers may not be impressive, former coach Mickey Arthur believes Masood is capable of being an excellent tactician and leader for Pakistan’s Test side.

The unconventional aspect of Masood’s captaincy journey is reflected in his early initiation to first-class captaincy in 2015 at the United Bank Limited. Working with Pakistan Test legend Younis Khan, Masood demonstrated leadership qualities by prioritizing team interests and fostering strong relationships with teammates. However, the challenge lies in the transition from a dressing room accustomed to being led by its best batter, considering Masood’s recent struggles with the bat.