PCB explains why Babar Azam replaced Shan Masood as Pakistan Test captain ahead of crucial overseas tours

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Babar Azam has returned to Pakistan‘s Test captaincy ahead of the team’s crucial tours of the West Indies and England, replacing Shan Masood after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opted for a leadership change. While the decision sparked widespread discussion, PCB director of high performance Aaqib Javed has now explained why the board reinstated Babar as captain of the longest format.

Pakistan’s decision to bring Babar back as the Test captain was driven by concerns over recurring leadership and game-management issues rather than the team’s individual performances, according to PCB director of high performance Javed. Speaking on a recent podcast alongside former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, Javed explained that the board wanted a long-term solution after identifying repeated tactical shortcomings during overseas assignments. He also confirmed that the PCB intends to give Babar an extended run as captain as Pakistan prepare for demanding Test series against the West Indies and England.

Javed revealed that Pakistan’s inability to finish innings by dismissing opposition lower-order batters became a major concern for the management. According to him, the pattern remained unchanged across multiple countries despite different playing conditions and bowling attacks, indicating that the problem went beyond the players on the field.

“We have brought Babar Azam back because the same problems kept recurring. Whether it was in Australia, South Africa, the West Indies or, most recently, Bangladesh, the opposition’s tailenders continued to frustrate us. The conditions and bowlers changed, but the outcome remained the same and that pointed towards issues in leadership and game management,” Javed said.

The former Pakistan fast bowler stressed that the board was looking beyond short-term results and wanted a captain capable of bringing consistency to the side over the next few years. He expressed confidence that Babar has developed into a more mature leader since his previous stint as Test captain and believes the star batter can guide Pakistan through an important phase of red-ball cricket.

“I believe Babar is mature enough to lead the team again. He is one of our key players and our plan is to give him a two to three-year run as captain. Every captain brings a fresh mindset and we expect him to inspire the team through his own performances,” Javed added.

The PCB recently confirmed Babar’s return as Pakistan’s Test skipper, marking his comeback to the role after previously leading the national side between 2020 and 2023.

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Babar replaces Masood, whose stint as Pakistan’s Test captain lasted 16 matches. During that period, Pakistan managed just four victories while suffering 12 defeats, resulting in a win percentage of 25. Masood’s captaincy began with a challenging tour of Australia, where Pakistan were swept 3-0. Although he guided the team to a notable 2-1 home Test series victory over England in 2024, inconsistent performances continued to overshadow that success.

The final chapter of his leadership came with a disappointing 2-0 home series defeat against Bangladesh in May, a result that intensified scrutiny over Pakistan’s direction in the longest format. With Babar back at the helm, the PCB hopes the team can rediscover stability ahead of a busy international calendar.

Pakistan are scheduled to leave for the West Indies on July 13 before playing a four-day warm-up match from July 18. They will then contest a two-Test series in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25-29 and August 2-6.

Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will head to England for a three-match Test series. The first Test will be played at Headingley from August 19-23, followed by matches at Lord’s (August 27-31) and Edgbaston (September 9-13), where Babar will have an immediate opportunity to justify the PCB’s renewed faith in his leadership.

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