Babar Azam Will Not Return as Pakistan Test Captain

Babar Azam’s chances of leading Pakistan in Test cricket again appear slim following the team’s underwhelming performance at the T20 World Cup.

Sources close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suggest Shan Masood will retain the Test captaincy for the upcoming series against Bangladesh in August.

This comes after the PCB’s dissatisfaction with Babar Azam’s leadership in the T20 format. The team’s failure to qualify for the Super 8 stage, including losses to the USA and India, seems to have impacted their trust in him as captain.

The Bangladesh series will also mark the debut of former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach.

Shan Masood took over the Test captaincy after Babar Azam relinquished the role across all formats following Pakistan’s ODI World Cup exit last year.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was then named T20I captain, but his tenure was short-lived. After a disappointing series defeat against New Zealand, he was removed from the position in April 2024.

The PCB then made a “strategic move” by reappointing Babar Azam as white-ball captain before the T20 World Cup, alongside the appointment of Gary Kirsten as white-ball head coach.

However, these changes failed to yield the desired results. Pakistan‘s early exit from the tournament, after back-to-back losses to the USA and India, has put Babar Azam’s leadership under scrutiny.

Their only win came against Canada, and their final group-stage match against Ireland is a mere formality. The USA, meanwhile, have secured their place in the Super 8 stage.