The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to keep Shan Masood as the Test team captain despite disappointing performances. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to be appointed as the head coach for the red-ball format. This decision comes ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh starting from May 8.
Masood faced challenges during his captaincy, including losses in Australia and South Africa. Despite a series win against England, Pakistan’s inconsistent performance led to criticism. Sarfaraz is expected to take over as the red-ball head coach, aiming to enhance coordination between the captain and team management, leveraging his good relationship with Masood.
The proposal to appoint Mike Hesson as an all-format head coach was not approved, with resistance from the PCB’s Board of Governors and the selection committee. Pakistan is set to play three Test series in the current WTC cycle against Bangladesh, West Indies, and England. The squad for the Bangladesh tour will soon be announced, with Azan Awais likely to be included based on his strong domestic cricket displays.
A red-ball training camp is ongoing at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore under Sarfaraz’s guidance and academy coaches. This initiative is part of Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen their Test cricket performance and rebuild the team’s standing in the format.
