Shan Masood to Continue as Pakistan's Test Captain for Upcoming WTC Cycle

Shan Masood's Leadership Role Confirmed

Lahore [Pakistan], September 24: Veteran batsman and Test captain Shan Masood has been officially appointed to lead Pakistan in the upcoming 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its trust in Masood following a meeting with chairman Mohsin Naqvi and red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood.

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB's announcement indicated that both Masood and Mahmood have been granted a "free hand" regarding the Test team, although the specifics of this statement remain unclear. Currently, neither Masood nor Mahmood is part of the selection committee, which consists of five members, including Aleem Dar, Aqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, and Azhar Ali.

Masood's position as Test captain was uncertain after Pakistan finished last in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, where he led the team throughout. Recently, the PCB revealed player contracts for the 2025-26 season, resulting in Masood's demotion from category 'B' to 'D', the lowest tier of central contracts.

During his tenure, the Test coaching role has seen multiple changes, notably with Jason Gillespie's brief and tumultuous period. With the PCB now endorsing Masood as the leader for the current WTC cycle, he has a chance to revitalize his captaincy.

Masood is currently the longest-serving captain for Pakistan, while the leadership roles in ODI and T20I formats have frequently changed hands. In his 42 Test matches, he has accumulated 2,380 runs at an average of 30.12, including six centuries and eleven fifties.

Since taking over the captaincy in November 2023, Masood has faced challenges with consistency. Despite some struggles, he has contributed significantly at the top of the order, scoring two centuries—one against England at home and another in South Africa. However, under his leadership, Pakistan has faced difficulties, winning only three out of twelve matches.