Saud Shakeel Likely to Replace Shan Masood as Test Captain
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- May 16, 2025
- 4:28 pm
- 46
- Sports
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing for major changes in the national Test squad. As part of this overhaul, Saud Shakeel’s captaincy is gaining strong support within the PCB for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, scheduled for October 2025.
According to sources, Saud Shakeel, who is currently the vice-captain, is expected to replace Shan Masood as Test captain. The move is part of broader reforms after Pakistan’s poor performance in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25. Pakistan sits ninth on the WTC points table, following series whitewashes against Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa.
Shan Masood, appointed in November 2023, managed only three wins out of 12 Test matches. He lost nine and drew none. His leadership failed to bring consistency or tactical strength. Selectors and team management have raised concerns over his decisions and on-field strategies.
On the other hand, Saud Shakeel’s captaincy has impressed the board. Since his Test debut, Saud has averaged over 50 with the bat. His performances remain solid even during team struggles. He shows calmness, discipline, and consistency at the crease—qualities the PCB believes are key to rebuilding Pakistan’s red-ball team.
In addition, Saud recently led the Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10. His leadership helped the team top the points table with six wins in nine matches. Under his guidance, the Gladiators secured a spot in the playoffs. His composed decision-making during pressure games has made a strong case for his promotion in the national setup.
Meanwhile, PCB is also considering other structural changes. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed may take over as Chief Selector. The 37-year-old, who last played a Test in 2023, has deep knowledge of the current player pool. He is known for leading Pakistan to the ICC Champions Trophy win in 2017. After a short mentorship role, he is now being considered for a more permanent and impactful position.
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has also entered discussions for the red-ball head coach role. He previously held this position from 2019 to 2021. While the final decision is pending, sources confirm that Misbah is among the top choices for this role. The PCB continues to explore all options to reset its Test cricket structure.
The final call on Saud Shakeel’s captaincy and other appointments is expected before the South Africa series. This will allow time for proper planning and team development.
