Pakistan Test team captain, Shan Masood, has assured fans that the team remains fully united, expressing disappointment over the recent loss to Bangladesh, but reaffirming the players’ determination to deliver better results.
In a press conference in Karachi, Shan Masood emphasized that the upcoming series against England is crucial for Pakistan. “It’s easy to make changes after a defeat, but if we want to move forward, we have to back our players,” he stated.
Addressing the Bangladesh loss, Shan admitted that it was disheartening, but vowed to approach the England series with a “match-to-match” combination strategy. He mentioned that the first Test squad has been announced, and further planning will be based on players’ fitness and performance in the initial games.
When asked about team selection, Shan said that the decision to include Zahid Mahmood would depend on the conditions in Multan. He also spoke about the positive impact of the Champions Cup, noting that it helped gauge the team’s fitness and preparation.
Regarding wicket-keeping, Shan clarified that Mohammad Rizwan remains an integral part of the squad, but in the short term, Sarfaraz Ahmed is a suitable alternative. He explained that it wouldn’t be ideal to immediately field a new wicket-keeper in Test matches, but assured that coaches are working on long-term planning with young keepers and openers.
He praised Babar Azam as the world’s number one and best batsman, emphasizing that all players, including Kamran Ghulam and Saim Ayub, would be given opportunities to showcase their performances.
