Shan Masood wants to continue as Pakistan’s Test captain, but on one condition

Shan Masood has told the PCB that he wants to continue as Pakistan’s Test captain. But he wants a smoother selection process and team management after repeated changes.

Pakistan’s Shan Masood in action. Courtesy: AP

UPDATED: 22 May 2026 19:16 IST

Despite calls for his ouster following the Test series defeat against Bangladesh, Pakistan captain Shan Masood wants to continue leading the national side in the near future, PCB sources said. The knives are for Masood even as PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains tied up in his role as federal interior minister in the Middle East conflict.

This apparently left little time for him to focus entirely on cricketing matters as the PCB chief. A reliable source close to Masood revealed that the senior player himself would still like to continue as captain, but wanted structural changes in the way the Test team is selected and management is conducted.

Masood, who is known to have strong support from the power lobbies that matter in Pakistan, the source added, wanted to complete the current cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

“Shan has told the board that the constant changes in coaching positions and team management have not helped him much as captain and his efforts to build a strong Test team,” the source added.

Another well-informed source said that no decision has been taken on the captaincy yet, but after the Australia series and before the West Indies Test tour, a high-level board meeting will be held to decide on the captaincy and Masood’s future.

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Published on:

22 May 2026 19:16 IST

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