In a significant reshuffle by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shan Masood has appointed as the Test captain, succeeding Babar Azam, who stepped down from the role. Simultaneously, Shaheen Afridi has named the captain for Pakistan’s White Ball cricket.
Shan Masood, aged 34, has showcased promising leadership skills in the red-ball format, earning him the captaincy for the upcoming Australia and New Zealand tour. Having played 30 Tests and accumulated 1,597 runs, including four centuries and seven half-centuries, Masood brings a wealth of experience to the leadership role.
Masood’s captaincy extends until the conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, with the spotlight on his inaugural assignment as he leads the Green Shirts in a three-match Test series against Kagaroos commencing next month.
In a parallel development, Shaheen Shah Afridi, a key pacer with 64 wickets in 52 T20Is, will take charge of the Pakistan Team in the T20I format. His first test as captain is the 5-match T20I series in New Zealand scheduled for January next year. Afridi’s leadership prowess was evident when he captained Lahore Qalandars in the PSL, guiding the team to victory in the tournament twice within two years.
The changes in leadership aim to rejuvenate the team dynamics and foster a renewed competitive spirit as Pakistan gears up for challenging tours and international competitions. Fans eagerly await the performances under the new leadership, anticipating a positive era for Pakistani cricket.
