Major changes in the leadership of the Pakistan cricket team are being reported, with middle-order batter Saud Shakeel expected to be appointed as the new Test captain.
According to sources, 29-year-old Saud Shakeel, who is currently serving as the vice-captain, will replace Shan Masood. This change is expected to be part of broader reforms likely to be introduced by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Although an official announcement from the PCB has not yet been made, informed sources say the decision is nearly finalized.
This leadership change is being viewed in the context of preparations for the team’s upcoming Test matches and anticipated changes in the coaching staff. It is noteworthy that Shan Masood was appointed as Test captain in November 2023, but under his leadership, the team failed to perform satisfactorily.
Under Shan’s captaincy, Pakistan played twelve Test matches, winning only three and losing nine. Pakistan’s performance in the ICC World Test Championship 2023–2025 has been extremely disappointing, with the team ranking ninth on the points table.
During Shan Masood’s tenure, Pakistan suffered complete series defeats against Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa, while only managing to win series against Sri Lanka and England. The two-match series against the West Indies ended in a draw.
Selectors and team management have expressed serious reservations about Shan’s poor strategies, inconsistency, and ineffective decision-making. In contrast, Saud Shakeel has established himself as a reliable Test batter for Pakistan through consistent batting, maturity, and technical proficiency.
Since the start of his career, his batting average has remained above fifty, reflecting his class and consistency. These qualities are being seen as vital for the future of Pakistan’s Test team. Saud’s leadership abilities were also evident in the recent tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League, where he captained Quetta Gladiators with great acumen.
Under his captaincy, the team won six out of nine matches, secured the top spot on the points table, and qualified for the playoff stage. This potential change is being seen as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s first step towards a complete overhaul of the team structure following the disappointing performance in the World Test Championship.
