Azam Takes Over Test Captaincy
Babar Azam Reinstated as Pakistan Test Captain Amidst Team's Performance Decline Under Shan Masood
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Pakistan has sacked Shan Masood as test cricket captain and handed the job back to Babar Azam, according to Yahoo Sports. The move comes after Masood led the team to just 4 wins in 16 test matches — suffering 12 defeats along the way.
Babar Azam now returns to lead Pakistan's red-ball side for the second time in his career. His first stint as test captain produced 10 wins in 20 matches before Masood replaced him in late 2023, Idaho State Journal reported.
Masood's 12 Defeats in 16 Tests Sealed His Fate
Shan Masood took over as Pakistan's test captain in late 2023. His tenure quickly turned rocky. Under his leadership, Pakistan lost 12 of 16 test matches, Gazette Extra reported. The only bright spot was a series win against England — every other major series ended in defeat.
The Pakistan selection committee met and unanimously decided to remove Masood from the captaincy. They said they wanted a leader who could guide the team in a better direction, according to BDT Online.
Babar Returns as Pakistan's Red-Ball Captain
The selection committee chose Babar Azam without hesitation. They recommended him unanimously. Babar had previously led Pakistan to 10 wins in 20 test matches, giving him a far stronger record than Masood's time in charge, according to HNG News.
This is Babar's second stint leading the test side. He is already regarded as one of Pakistan's top batters. The committee appeared confident that his experience and record made him the right choice to steady the ship.
Pakistan's Test Form Has Sharply Declined Since 2023
Pakistan's test results fell off a cliff after Masood replaced Babar in late 2023. The team went from a competitive side to one of the worst-performing test nations in that period. Losing 12 of 16 matches is a 75% loss rate — a damaging run for any top cricket nation, Bozeman Daily Chronicle noted.
The poor run put pressure on the entire cricket setup in Pakistan. Fans and officials alike called for change. Sunday's announcement was the selection committee's direct response to that pressure, Daily Gazette reported.
What Babar's Return Means for Pakistan's Test Future
Babar Azam's return gives Pakistan a tested leader at the helm. His first spell showed he could win test matches — something Masood struggled to do consistently. The challenge now is to rebuild team confidence and reverse a damaging losing streak, according to Herald Bulletin.
Pakistan's upcoming test schedule will be an early test of whether the change in captaincy translates into better results. Babar will be expected to deliver wins quickly. The selection committee has made clear they want results — not just leadership changes, Gazette Extra reported.
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