🏆 Shan Masood’s Captaincy Journey So Far
Pakistan cricket has never been short of drama when it comes to captaincy decisions. Over the past few years, leadership in ODIs and T20Is has changed hands multiple times, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has chosen stability in red-ball cricket, retaining Shan Masood as Test captain for the entire 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
This decision comes despite Pakistan finishing last in the previous WTC cycle, a performance that left many fans questioning Masood’s future. Yet, in a bold move, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that Masood and coach Azhar Mahmood have been given “a free hand” to shape the Test team moving forward.
👉 But what does this mean for Pakistan cricket? Can Masood turn around fortunes? And is this a risky gamble or a long-term masterstroke? Let’s dive deep.
📰 PCB’s Big Decision 🏏
The PCB statement confirmed that Shan Masood will continue as Test captain until 2027. Alongside him, red-ball coach Azhar Mahmood has also been given full authority in Test matters.
Notably, Masood and Mahmood are not part of the selection committee, which features:
- Aleem Dar
- Aqib Javed
- Asad Shafiq
- Azhar Ali
- Mohammad Wasim
This separation of powers could either bring balance or create confusion, depending on how aligned the selectors and the team management are.
Pakistan Test cricket, Shan Masood captain, PCB Test decisions, WTC 2025–27, Pakistan vs South Africa 2025 series.
📉 Why Shan Masood’s Captaincy Was in Doubt
Critics were quick to point out that Pakistan’s 2023–25 WTC cycle was disastrous:
- Pakistan finished bottom of the WTC table.
- Out of 12 matches, Pakistan lost 9.
- Test wins were scarce, leading to growing frustration among fans.
Adding fuel to the fire, Masood’s central contract was downgraded from Category B to D, raising speculation about whether the PCB was phasing him out.
However, instead of replacing him, the PCB doubled down, signaling faith in his leadership qualities and willingness to provide continuity in Test cricket.
💪 Shan Masood’s Batting Under Captaincy
While his captaincy record is poor in terms of wins, Shan Masood’s batting numbers tell a slightly different story:
- His average as captain is higher compared to previous stints.
- He scored two centuries in the last cycle: one against England (home) and another in South Africa (away).
- Recently shifted from No. 3 to opener, he has provided solidity at the top.
Though not in the league of Babar Azam or Abdullah Shafique as pure batsmen, Masood’s ability to grind out runs and lead by example has convinced PCB to retain him.
🌍 Pakistan’s First Test Challenge – South Africa Tour 2025
The first real test of Masood’s captaincy in this new cycle will be the two-match Test series against South Africa in October 2025, hosted in Pakistan.
South Africa, being the defending WTC champions, pose a massive challenge. Pakistan will need to:
- Tackle pace powerhouses like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
- Build batting partnerships against a strong Proteas attack.
- Revive spin dominance at home through bowlers like Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali.
This series could set the tone for Pakistan’s entire 2025–27 WTC journey.
📊 Pakistan’s Test Future – Opportunities & Challenges
✅ Opportunities:
- Stability: Keeping Shan Masood ensures leadership consistency.
- Young Talent: Players like Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, and Agha Salman can develop under stable guidance.
- Spin-Friendly Home Conditions: Pakistan can still dominate in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan with spinners.
❌ Challenges:
- Overseas Record: Pakistan’s poor away form must improve.
- Batting Collapses: The top order still struggles against top-class pace.
- Pressure from Fans & Media: Every failure will bring calls for Masood’s sacking.
🧠 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
At Cricketory, our analysis suggests this decision is a calculated gamble by PCB.
🔎 On one hand, Pakistan could have gone for a fresh captain like Babar Azam (again) or Mohammad Rizwan, but both are already burdened in white-ball formats. Shan Masood offers a specialist red-ball mindset, with no distractions from limited-overs cricket.
🔎 On the other hand, his poor win-loss record raises alarm bells. For Shan to succeed, he must:
- Build a stronger Test batting unit.
- Back bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to deliver overseas.
- Develop a culture of patience, resilience, and consistency in Test matches.
Our view: If Shan Masood survives the South Africa challenge in October 2025, his captaincy could stabilize Pakistan cricket for years. If not, PCB may once again be forced into mid-cycle leadership changes.
📅 Pakistan’s WTC 2025–27 Fixtures (Key Series)
- 🏏 Pakistan vs South Africa (Home) – Oct 2025
- 🏏 Pakistan vs New Zealand (Away) – Jan 2026
- 🏏 Pakistan vs England (Home) – Mid 2026
- 🏏 Pakistan vs India (Neutral Venue) – 2027 (Expected but depends on ICC politics)
These series will define Masood’s success as captain.
🙋 FAQs – Shan Masood & Pakistan Test Captaincy
Q1: Why did PCB retain Shan Masood despite poor results?
👉 PCB believes in stability and leadership continuity. They want to give him a full cycle to prove himself.Q2: What are Shan Masood’s batting stats as captain?
👉 His average as captain is in the mid-30s, with two Test centuries under his leadership.Q3: Who are Pakistan’s Test vice-captains?
👉 Currently, Pakistan has not announced a permanent vice-captain, but names like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan are frontrunners.Q4: When is Shan Masood’s first Test assignment in this cycle?
👉 Pakistan play South Africa in a two-match Test series at home in October 2025.Q5: Could Babar Azam return as Test captain in future?
👉 If Shan Masood struggles, Babar Azam remains a possible candidate. But PCB wants him focused on white-ball formats.🏁 Final Thoughts – A Defining Era for Shan Masood and Pakistan Cricket
The PCB’s decision to back Shan Masood as Pakistan’s Test captain for the entire 2025–27 WTC cycle is both bold and strategic. On one hand, it signals a rare commitment to leadership stability, something Pakistan cricket has historically lacked. On the other, it places enormous pressure on Masood to deliver results and justify the trust shown in him.
The upcoming South Africa series in October 2025 will be more than just two Test matches—it will serve as a litmus test for Masood’s leadership and Pakistan’s ability to bounce back after a dismal previous cycle. If Pakistan can compete strongly, it will set the tone for a revival in red-ball cricket. But if the struggles continue, calls for change will inevitably grow louder.
At this stage, Shan Masood’s captaincy feels like a make-or-break era for Pakistan cricket. With talented youngsters in the squad, seasoned bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, and the home advantage in spin-friendly conditions, Pakistan has the tools to succeed. What remains to be seen is whether Masood can convert those tools into consistent Test victories.
👉 One thing is clear: the 2025–27 WTC cycle will define Shan Masood’s legacy as a Test leader—either as the man who brought stability back to Pakistan cricket, or as another captain who couldn’t escape the shadows of inconsistency.