PCB sacks Shan Masood, reappoints Babar Azam as Test captain
Babar Azam (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 05 Jul 2026, 10:38 AM• Read time - 5 mins
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 has 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.
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.
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
| Dates | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 25–29 July | First Test | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba |
| 2–6 August | Second Test | Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain |
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
| Dates | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 19–23 August | First Test | Leeds |
| 27–31 August | Second Test | Lord’s |
| 9–13 September | Third Test | Birmingham |
More to follow...............................