Islamabad, September 30, 2024 – Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood expressed optimism on Monday about his team’s prospects ahead of the upcoming three-match Test series against England, despite the recent disappointment of a whitewash against Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference, Masood emphasized the importance of maintaining trust in his players and focusing on long-term development rather than immediate changes in response to setbacks.
“It’s easy to make changes after a loss, but if we want to progress as a team, we must back our players and show confidence in their abilities,” said Masood. His remarks come as Pakistan prepares to face England, with the series kicking off on October 7 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The second Test will be held at the same venue, followed by the final match from October 24 to 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This home series is a crucial part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025.
Masood acknowledged the frustration within the squad following the losses in Bangladesh but maintained that the team had taken valuable lessons from the defeats. “We are deeply regretful about our recent performances, but we are determined to deliver better results moving forward. We’ve learned a great deal about both our physical and mental conditioning, and it’s clear that we need to raise our standards,” the captain remarked.
Reflecting on his leadership role, Masood admitted that losing is always difficult, but accountability is essential for growth. “As captain, it feels terrible when the team loses. It wasn’t the ideal start to my captaincy, but with defeat comes responsibility, and it’s crucial that we address our weaknesses constructively.”
Masood highlighted the team’s missed opportunities in the series against Bangladesh, noting that Pakistan had moments where they could have seized control but failed to capitalize. “To be a top Test side, we must significantly improve both our physical fitness and mental toughness. Our conditioning must match the elite teams in world cricket,” Masood stressed, emphasizing the rigors of Test cricket and the critical need for peak performance levels.
The skipper also touched on team selection, particularly the return of all-rounder Aamir Jamal from injury. Masood explained that the current squad was selected based on player fitness, with the option to bring in Zahid Mahmood if needed. “For now, we’ve built the squad around the first Test, keeping in mind fitness levels. If required, Zahid will join the squad,” he explained.
Concluding his remarks, Masood acknowledged the intense pressure of professional sports but reiterated the team’s determination to turn their fortunes around. Mahmood, who will join the pre-series training camp in Multan as the 16th player, may be part of the final squad of 15 for the opening Test.
