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Babar Azam is back as Pakistan’s Test captain after the Pakistan Cricket Board removed Shan Masood from the role on Sunday following a poor run of results.Masood took over from Babar in late 2023 but Pakistan won only four of their 16 Test matches under his leadership, losing 12.Explaining the decision, chief selector Aaqib Javed said the selectors wanted a captain who could produce better results.“We wanted to look for a captain who could lead the team in a much better way,” Javed told reporters in Lahore, as quoted by news agency AP. “Shan’s individual performance was good but as captain we weren’t getting the desired results.”Javed said there was complete agreement within the selection committee over Babar’s appointment.“The selection committee sat down and held detailed discussions. They assessed which player could prove to be the best captain in Test cricket. There were many discussions, but the selection committee made only one recommendation, and that was Babar Azam. That’s it,” Aaqib said.Pakistan’s Test form dipped sharply during Masood’s tenure. His first assignment ended in a 3-0 series defeat in Australia. Pakistan then suffered a 2-0 home series loss to Bangladesh for the first time. The team’s only series win under Masood came against England at home, where Pakistan won 2-1. They also lost series against South Africa and the West Indies and finished at the bottom of the previous World Test Championship table.Javed said the captain also had to share responsibility for the team’s performances.“The captain has a responsibility of finishing the games,” Javed said. “Some things are the responsibility of the team, some are the responsibility of the selectors, and some are the responsibility of the captain. The captain’s responsibility also includes maintaining the team’s over rate, taking DRS decisions and making the right call at the toss.”Despite the team’s struggles, Masood scored consistently with the bat. During his captaincy, he hit two centuries and seven half-centuries, including back-to-back fifties at Melbourne against Australia.Babar’s first spell as Test captain produced 10 wins in 20 matches. His tenure began with a 2-0 home series win over South Africa, while Pakistan also completed clean sweeps away from home against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.As captain, Babar averaged more than 50 runs per innings in Test cricket. His only series defeat at home came against England, who beat Pakistan 3-0.Babar’s second stint as captain will begin with the two-Test series against the West Indies later this month.Masood has retained his place in Pakistan’s 16-member squad for that series. Saud Shakeel will join the squad as the 17th player for the three-Test series in England after the West Indies tour, subject to fitness.The squad also includes four uncapped players: left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Awais Zafar, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori.
