Pakistan are reportedly preparing to bring back Babar Azam as Test captain after another disappointing spell under Shan Masood. This move gained momentum Pakistan’s crushing defeat by Bangladesh by 104 runs in the opening Test at Mirpur, a result that drew strong criticism of the team management and management.
According to a source close to the team, influential figures from the Pakistan Cricket Board are backing Babar’s return for the remaining matches of the current World Test Championship cycle. Pakistan still have seven Tests left this year and there is a growing belief in the board that the side needs a more stable and experienced leader.
“Some influential figures in the Pakistan Cricket Board also want Babar back as captain and believe the time is right to give him another bid,” the source said.
“If Babar plays the second Test and regains his batting form, he is a strong contender to return as captain. Initial exchanges with some board officials suggest that he is also not averse to becoming captain again,” the source said.
Babar was Pakistan’s captain in all three formats from 2019 to 2023 after replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed. However, he stepped down after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where the team failed to reach the semi-finals.
He later returned as Pakistan’s T20I captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, but stepped down again after Pakistan suffered shock defeats to India and the USA and were eliminated in the group stage.
SHAN MASOOD FIGHTS LIKE A CAPTAIN
Masood’s record as a Test captain has come under severe scrutiny. Since taking over the role in December 2023, Pakistan have lost 11 out of 15 Tests under him. Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 in Australia, lost 2-0 at home to Bangladesh in 2024 and recently suffered another crushing defeat in Mirpur. Although Pakistan beat England 2-1 at home and drew 1-1 against South Africa, overall consistency was lacking.
Ironically, just days before the Bangladesh series, Masood had publicly backed Babar to carry his Pakistan Super League form into Tests. Babar enjoyed a great PSL season for Peshawar Zalmi, scoring 588 runs in 11 matches at an average of 73.02 and a strike rate of 145.90.
Babar missed the Mirpur Test with a knee injurybut reports suggest he is likely to return for the second Test starting on May 18. His absence was badly felt as Pakistan’s batting struggled in both innings during the defeat.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
13 May 2026 18:40 IST
