PCB sacks Shan Masood, reappoints Babar Azam as Test captain

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sacked Shan Masood and reappointed Babar Azam as the captain of the Test team. Babar has been reappointed for Pakistan's upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies and a three-match red-ball series against England.

Masood’s reign as Pakistan’s Test captain has ended on a deflating note. His lowest point as captain came at home in August-September 2024, when Pakistan lost their first-ever Test series to Bangladesh 2-0. That setback was followed by an even heavier blow in May this year, when Pakistan toured Bangladesh and suffered a crushing 2-0 defeat. 

Appointed in November 2023, Masood led Pakistan in 16 Tests. His record was bleak: only four wins against 12 defeats, giving him a win percentage of 25% and a loss percentage of 75%. Consecutive series defeats to Bangladesh, first at home and then away, proved to be the final blow.

In contrast, Babar Azam returns to the role with a stronger track record. He previously captained Pakistan in 20 Tests, securing 10 wins, six losses, and four draws. That equates to a win percentage of 50% and a loss percentage of 30%, a far more balanced record than his predecessor's.

The squad announcement alongside Babar’s reinstatement reflects sweeping changes. The selectors have dropped Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Noman Ali, all of whom featured in Pakistan’s last Test series against Bangladesh.

Right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali and seam-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal have earned Test recalls after impressive performances in the 2025–26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Representing Sialkot, Ali picked up 32 wickets in nine matches at an average of 26.84, including two five-wicket hauls. Jamal, meanwhile, claimed 22 wickets in seven games at 24.90 and chipped in with 153 runs.

Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Ali Usman has been rewarded for finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. He claimed 48 wickets in eight matches at an average of 21.10, including six five-wicket hauls, earning his maiden Test call-up.

Ubaid Shah, one of the three Shah brothers, has also received his maiden Test call-up. He finished with 13 wickets in three games at 30.61, including a four-wicket haul.

The selectors have further added uncapped batter Muhammad Awais Zafar and wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori to the squads for the upcoming England and West Indies series. Notably, Saud Shakeel has been left out of the squad for the Caribbean tour but is included for the England series, with his participation subject to fitness clearance.

Pakistan squad for West Indies series:

Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah

Pakistan's Test tour of West Indies

Pakistan squad for England series:

Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah

Pakistan's Test tour of England