Babar Azam has been reinstated as Pakistan’s Test captain, with the Pakistan Cricket Board confirming his return following the removal of Shan Masood.
Azam’s return as captain comes at a time when Pakistan’s Test team is under scrutiny for its results across formats. Pakistan’s upcoming series against West Indies and England will be his first assignment since being reappointed.
Masood Removed After Difficult Run as Captain
Shan Masood took over the Test captaincy from Babar Azam after Pakistan’s away series performance in the role. However, his tenure saw results decline further, and the PCB has now moved to replace him. Babar had been removed as captain following that same away series, despite it being regarded as one of Pakistan’s stronger overseas showings in recent years.
Alongside the captaincy change, Pakistan have also left out Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali for the upcoming Tests against West Indies and England. The PCB has cited fitness concerns for some of the omissions, along with reduced availability for Test cricket among certain players.
Babar’s Previous Record as Test Captain
During his first term as Test captain, Babar Azam led Pakistan in 16 matches, winning 10 and losing six. His captaincy began with a 2-0 series win over South Africa, a result built largely around Pakistan’s pace bowling attack, which at the time included Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Babar also averaged 50 with the bat across his Test captaincy tenure.
His time in charge included a run of eight home Tests without a win, and a 3-0 home series defeat to England, Pakistan’s only whitewash on home soil. These results were among the factors that led to his removal as captain at the time.
Pakistan also faced criticism for pitch conditions during a home series against Australia, their first Test series against the visitors in 24 years. Then PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had taken responsibility for the pitches at the time.
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What Lies Ahead for Pakistan in Test Cricket
The PCB has not indicated whether this is intended as a long-term appointment or a short-term measure ahead of the two series. Pakistan’s next challenge will be adapting to conditions in the West Indies before touring England later in the year.
Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s most experienced batters across formats, will be looking to stabilise a Test side that has struggled for consistency in recent series. His previous stint as captain lasted just over three years before Masood was handed the role.
The PCB is yet to confirm the vice-captaincy position or any further changes to the Test squad ahead of the tour. Pakistan’s squad for the West Indies series is expected to be announced in the coming days.
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