Babar Azam He returned as Pakistan Test captain after being sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board Jean Massoud Sunday was relieved of the role after a string of poor performances.Masood took over from Babar at the end of 2023, but Pakistan won only four and lost 12 of the 16 Test matches played under his leadership.Explaining the decision, chief selector Aaqib Javed said the selectors wanted a captain who could achieve better results.“We are looking for a captain who can lead the team in a better way,” Javed told reporters in Lahore, according to the Associated Press. “Shan’s personal performance was good, but as a captain, we did not get the expected results.”Javed said there was complete agreement within the selection committee on Babar’s appointment.“The selection committee sat down and had a detailed discussion. They assessed which player could become the best captain in Test cricket. There was a lot of discussion but the selection committee came up with only one suggestion and that was Babar Azam. That was it,” Aqib said.During Masood’s tenure, Pakistan’s test scores fell sharply. His first assignment ended in a 3-0 series win in Australia. Pakistan then lost 0-2 to Bangladesh for the first time in the home series. The team’s only series win under Masood was at home against England, which Pakistan won 2-1. They also lost the series against South Africa and the West Indies and finished at the bottom of the previous World Test Championship standings.Javed said the captain must also take responsibility for the team’s performance.“It’s the captain’s responsibility to finish the game,” Javid said. “Some things are the team’s responsibility, some are the selectors’ responsibility, some are the captain’s responsibility. The captain’s responsibilities also include maintaining the team’s over-rate, making DRS decisions and making the right decisions at toss-ups. “Despite the team’s woes, Masood scored runs with the bat. He scored two centuries and seven half-centuries during his captaincy, including a consecutive fifty against Australia in Melbourne.Babar’s first term as Test captain saw 10 wins in 20 matches. His tenure began with a 2-0 home series victory over South Africa, while Pakistan also completed away series sweeps against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.As captain, Babar averaged over 50 runs per innings in Test cricket. His only series defeat at home was against England, who defeated Pakistan 3-0.Babar’s second stint as captain will begin with the two-match Test series against the West Indies later this month.Masood retained his place in Pakistan’s 16-man squad for the series. Saud Shakeel will join the squad as the 17th player for the three-match Test series in England after the tour of West Indies, subject to fitness.The team also includes four uncapped players: left-handed spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batsman Awais Zafar, right-handed fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batsman Ghazi Guri.
