Shan Masood Secures First Series Win as Pakistan Captain After Tough Start

After a challenging beginning with six consecutive defeats, Shan Masood finally tasted victory as Pakistan’s Test captain, leading his team to a 2-1 series win over England in Rawalpindi.

Masood’s journey as captain started in 2023 when he succeeded Babar Azam, facing a 3-0 whitewash against Australia and a 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh in mid-2024. The pressure mounted after England secured a commanding win in the first Test of this series. However, Masood’s side staged a remarkable comeback to clinch the series, marking his first victory as captain.

Overcoming the Struggles

Reflecting on the turnaround, Masood emphasized the collective responsibility of the team: “It’s not about my name but representing Pakistan. We were hurt by those six losses, but our aim has always been to push Pakistan cricket forward.”

Following the loss in the first Test, where Pakistan managed a massive first-innings score of 556 but still faced defeat, the team made some crucial decisions. The new selection committee opted to rest senior players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. The strategy shift included preparing spin-friendly pitches and bringing in spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. This change paid off, as the spin duo delivered impactful performances, taking 20 and 19 wickets, respectively, in the final two Tests.

The Spin Revolution

Masood explained the team’s new approach, crediting the selection committee for the changes that led to Pakistan’s comeback. “We had to find a way to take 20 wickets and playing on spin-friendly pitches was key,” he said. The inclusion of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan proved crucial, while Zahid Mahmood and Mehran Mumtaz were also considered for their experience.

Noman, alongside Sajid at the post-series press conference, expressed satisfaction with their performances. “We are happy to have contributed to this win. After struggling in the past, getting match-winning conditions like these against a team like England was very rewarding.”

What’s Next for Pakistan?

Despite the recent victories, Pakistan remains in seventh place in the World Test Championship standings, with a points percentage of 33.33. The team will next face South Africa in a two-match away series over the New Year, followed by a home series against the West Indies in January 2025.