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Shan Masood

Shan Masood may offer to step down as Pakistan Test captain after whitewash

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Shan Masood

LAHORE: Pakistan test captain Shan Masood may offer to step down following his team’s 2-0 series whitewash against Bangladesh, according to media reports.

Sources said Masood is expected to meet Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after returning home and could present his resignation from the captaincy. A final decision on his future will rest with the PCB chairman.

Masood was appointed test captain in 2023. Under his leadership, Pakistan has lost 12 of its 16 test matches, increasing pressure on the 36-year-old batter.

After Pakistan’s 78-run defeat in the second test in Sylhet, Masood apologized to fans and acknowledged the team’s disappointing performances.

“We are deeply disappointed by these results and apologize to the nation for not meeting expectations,” Masood said.

He said Pakistan needed to focus on improving its overall test cricket structure rather than blaming individual players.

Masood declined to comment directly on repeated questions about his captaincy but said he remained committed to helping Pakistan test cricket improve in any role.

Pakistan’s next test assignment is a three-match series in England in July.

Bangladesh complete historic whitewash of Pakistan with 78-run win

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Bangladesh complete

SYLHET: Bangladesh completed a historic 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan after securing a 78-run victory in the second and final test in Sylhet on Wednesday.

Pakistan resumed the fifth and final day needing 121 more runs to chase a target of 437, with three wickets in hand.

The visitors were bowled out for 359, handing Bangladesh victory by 78 runs and sealing its first-ever clean sweep over Pakistan in a two-match test series.

Bangladesh had already taken a 1-0 lead by winning the opening test in Dhaka by 104 runs.

The series result marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket, which produced back-to-back victories against Pakistan in the home series.

Talking to the media, Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his team failed to perform well in both batting and bowling after Bangladesh completed a 2-0 test series sweep.

“We tried our best to win the match, but we did not play well during the first three days,” Masood said after Pakistan’s 78-run defeat in the second and final test in Sylhet.

He said Pakistan worked hard over the last two days but could not capitalize on its efforts, adding that the team was unable to dismiss Bangladesh’s last four batters quickly enough.

“In test cricket, there is no room for mistakes,” Masood said. “We did not perform well in batting and bowling.”

Masood said test cricket requires teams to maintain a high standard over all five days of a match.

After historical won, Bangladesh moved up to fifth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings after completing a 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan.

The series victory lifted Bangladesh above both England and India in the latest standings.

Pakistan remained in eighth place with four points following back-to-back defeats in the two-match series.

Pakistan’s next assignment in the World Test Championship will be a three-test series against England in England.

The series will provide Pakistan with an opportunity to recover ground in the standings after a disappointing tour of Bangladesh.

Shan Masood named PCB consultant for players’ affairs

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Shan Masood

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Test team captain Shan Masood has been given an additional key role within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to an official statement, the PCB has appointed Shan Masood as Consultant for International Cricketers and Players’ Affairs.

The announcement was made during a dinner hosted in Islamabad by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for the Pakistan and South Africa teams, which was also attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

During the event, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi formally announced Shan Masood’s new assignment, acknowledging his leadership and international cricketing experience.

Poor Captaincy: South Africa defeat Pakistan by 8 wickets

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Poor Captaincy

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup faltered on the fourth day of the Rawalpindi Test, setting South Africa a modest target of just 68 runs — which the visitors comfortably chased down with eight wickets to spare.

Resuming their second innings with a deficit of 71 runs, Pakistan struggled from the outset as wickets fell rapidly in the morning session. Babar Azam top-scored with 50 before being dismissed, while Mohammad Rizwan managed 18 runs.

Salman Ali Agha contributed 28, and Sajid Khan added 13, but the rest of the batting order failed to offer resistance. Nauman Ali and Shaheen Afridi were dismissed without scoring, while Asif Afridi remained unbeaten on zero.

For South Africa, Simon Harmer delivered a stellar performance, taking six wickets, while Keshav Maharaj claimed two and Kagiso Rabada picked up one.

Chasing 68 for victory, South Africa reached the target at the loss of just two wickets. Aiden Markram scored a solid 42, Tristan Stubbs was dismissed for a duck, and Ryan Rickelton remained unbeaten on 25.

Earlier, Pakistan had posted 333 runs in their first innings, while South Africa responded with 404, gaining a crucial first-innings lead that ultimately proved decisive.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood came under scrutiny following Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test against South Africa, as tactical errors and questionable decisions contributed to the team’s disappointing performance.

Cricket analysts and former players criticized Masood’s field placements, bowling changes, and lack of proactive strategy during crucial moments of the match. Despite having a balanced bowling attack, Pakistan failed to maintain pressure on the South African batters, allowing them to take control of the game.

Masood’s captaincy was also questioned for his inability to inspire the batting lineup, which collapsed twice under pressure. His decision to persist with defensive tactics, even when South Africa appeared vulnerable, drew particular criticism from experts.

The defeat has raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s leadership direction in the longer format, especially as the team continues to struggle with consistency and temperament in home conditions.

Pakistan vs South Africa: Day 1 Test Highlights from Rawalpindi

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Pakistan vs South Africa Test, Rawalpindi cricket, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan cricket highlights, sports news Pakistan


Pakistan closed Day 1 at 259/5 against South Africa in Rawalpindi, with Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique steering a steady batting performance.


Pakistan’s top order displayed resilience on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi, finishing at 259 for 5 by stumps. Skipper Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafique led the charge with confident batting after early pressure from South Africa’s pace attack.

Shafique struck a composed 73 runs before being caught at slip, while Masood scored a gritty 84 runs in challenging conditions. The pair’s 130-run partnership helped Pakistan recover after losing two early wickets to Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.

South Africa’s fielding errors, including two dropped catches, allowed Pakistan to regain control of the innings. Middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel contributed 42 runs, anchoring the team toward a competitive total.

Pakistan is aiming to level the series after losing the first Test in Cape Town. Coach Gary Kirsten said the team “focused on playing disciplined cricket and building partnerships,” praising the players for showing intent.

Day 2 will be crucial for Pakistan as it seeks to post a first-innings total of over 400. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Rabada, are expected to fight back early in the morning session.

Pakistan announces Playing XI for first Test against South Africa

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Pakistan announces

LAHORE: Pakistan, under the leadership of Shan Masood, will take on defending champions South Africa in a two-match Test series as part of the fourth cycle of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.

The first Test begins on Sunday at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, where Pakistan is expected to field seven batters, two fast bowlers, and two spinners.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan has been ruled out due to viral fever and will be replaced by Asif Afridi, who earns a place in the playing XI. The 38-year-old left-arm spinner has taken 198 wickets in 57 first-class matches at an average of 25.49. Asif will partner with experienced spinner Nauman Ali in Pakistan’s bowling attack.

The 39-year-old Nauman Ali has claimed 83 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 24.75. In fast bowling, Shaheen Shah Afridi makes his return to Test cricket after a year-long absence.

The left-arm pacer, who has taken 116 wickets in 31 Tests, will share the new ball with Hasan Ali. Hasan, a right-arm fast bowler with 80 wickets in 24 Tests, last played a Test in January 2024 against Australia in Sydney.

Pakistan’s opening pair will feature Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, while Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Ali Agha will strengthen the middle order. Mohammad Rizwan will keep wickets.

Pakistan’s Playing XI for the first Test:

Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, and Asif Afridi.