Test captain Shan Masood will continue to lead the Pakistan Cricket Team in the longest format of the game despite finishing last in the previous World Test Championship cycle.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reaffirmed its confidence after Shan Masood had met with the chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, along with their red-ball coach, Azhar Mahmood. Both Shan and Azhar have been given a “free hand”, though neither the captain nor the coach is in the selection committee for the Test side.
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Pakistan fell to the bottom of the table in the 2023-25 WTC cycle after drawing their last series against the West Indies 1-1. Shan’s leadership was in danger following dismal performance, and rumours had it that Saud Shakeel would replace him. Though all of these changed after the recent meeting with Shan, Mohsin and Azhar.
Also Read: Complete WTC 2025-27 Schedule – Who are Pakistan playing this time?
Challenges ahead for the Test Captain Shan Masood in the 2025-27 cycle
Shan had led Pakistan in five out of six WTC series in the 2023-25 and won just one series. Overall, they had won two series (the first series was with SL, won 2-0 under Babar Azam). In the 2025-27 cycle, Pakistan will play against South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand at home while they will tour Bangladesh, the West Indies and England.
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Pakistan can fancy their chances for their first World Test Championship final with such a schedule. Their decision to dry pitches in Pakistan during the England and West Indies series received a positive reaction after they won three out of five matches, including a series win over England. That series win over England was Pakistan’s first home series win since 2021, when they defeated South Africa 2-0.
A similar idea was taken when Pakistan’s 2021-23 cycle was unveiled with Australia, England, and New Zealand to travel the country. But Babar Azam’s side failed to win a single match on flat wickets, drawing heavy criticism.
Overall, in the 2025-27 cycle, Pakistan will play a total of 13 matches, one less than what they have played in the previous two cycles, but the same number of matches they played in the first cycle. They have not won more than five games in a single cycle. Their Test cricket has not been up to the mark, as they have won just two series against the SENA + WI since 2019.
Pakistan have ended 6th (in 2019-2021 cycle), 7th (in 2021-2023 cycle), and dead last (in 2023-2025 cycle). While some may consider this cycle an easier cycle to compete for the final, Pakistan’s recent performances in Test cricket may prevent that, as they are still lacking improvements in certain departments.
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