Babar Azam Test captain again? PCB may sack Shan Masood

Pakistan are reportedly preparing to bring back their veteran star batter, Babar Azam, as the new Test captain ahead of their two-match Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean, which will be followed by three more Tests against England in the United Kingdom. This thought has come after their recent 2-0 Test series defeat in Bangladesh.

Under the leadership of Shan Masood, Pakistan were crushed into a 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in the opening red-ball clash in Mirpur, a result that triggered heavy criticism of the team management and the leadership. In the second game, they faced a 78-run defeat.

Is Babar Azam set to return as Pakistan's Test captain?

As per the reports, the influential figures of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are considering Babar as the captain for the next five Test matches in the Caribbean and the United Kingdom, which are part of the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025/27.

There is a growing belief within the board that the side needs a more stable and experienced leader in the team. Masood’s form with the bat has also dipped after the results haven’t gone their way.

“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 reports claimed.

“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.” It addressed.

Babar Azam was their captain across the three formats of the game from 2019 to 2023 after succeeding Sarfaraz Ahmed in the role. He stepped down after Pakistan’s disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where the team failed to reach the semifinals.

How has Shan Masood performed as Pakistan's Test captain?

Under the leadership of Masood, Pakistan have played 16 Test matches and earned only four victories. The remaining 12 games ended in defeats at a win-loss ratio of 0.333. Their four wins came against England, West Indies, and South Africa. Under Babar, they have won 10 Tests out of 20 at a win-loss ratio of 1.66.

As the leader of the Test side, Masood has smashed 1056 runs in 32 innings at an average of 34.06 and a strike rate of 61.28 with the help of seven half-centuries and two centuries, with the best score of 151 runs.

In the same qualification, Babar has gathered 1727 runs in 35 innings at an average of more than 50, celebrating 11 half-centuries and four centuries at the best score of 196 against Australia.